State may pull bar's liquor license

The Daily Inter Lake

A popular Whitefish bar could lose its liquor license for selling alcohol to minors and violating closing-hour laws.

The state Department of Revenue earlier this month issued a revocation notice for Flanagan's Central Station's liquor license, citing two counts of staying open after 2 a.m. and one count of selling alcohol to a minor.

A fourth count said that based on Flanagan's past record and present status, the "licensee is not likely to operate the establishment in compliance with all applicable laws."

Flanagan's has been cited for seven violations in three years. Three earlier violations are being litigated, according to Jason Wood, unit manager of the state Liquor Licensing Division.

Since the notice was filed, the Whitefish Police Department reported an additional violation occurred on Sept. 8, 2006, Wood said.

Bar owner Jim Flanagan has until Saturday to request a hearing.

Flanagan said he could not talk about the state's action. His attorney, Chad Wold, did not return phone calls.

Wood said the state does not issue many revocation notices, usually one or two a year.

"The department looks at revocation as something very serious," he said. "It's obviously a death sentence. They're out of business" if the revocation is carried out.

When a bar has repeated offenses, the state becomes concerned about the safety and well-being of citizens, he said.

If Flanagan requests a hearing, an independent examiner hears the case and makes a recommendation to the department director. The director's decision can be appealed to District Court and then to the Montana Supreme Court, Wood said.

"The litigation could take years," he said. "We have a couple cases before the Supreme Court right now."

Flanagan's would be allowed to remain open during the litigation until the final court ruling.

Flanagan bought Coach's Corner in downtown Whitefish in November 2004 from longtime Whitefish coach and teacher Julio Delgado. He renamed the establishment and began offering a variety of live music every weekend, ranging from blues to reggae.

In a January 2005 interview with the Daily Inter Lake, Flanagan said he hoped his new club would earn a reputation as classy venue that offered quality customer service and entertainment options for everyone. He also hoped that reputation would replace the one he inherited from the Coach's Corner era when the business was known as a place that drew and served underage drinkers and frequently was a place for fights.

"I'm not here to lose my liquor license," Flanagan told the Inter Lake in 2005. "My policy is I card at the door for any ticketed shows or on any major nights."

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com