The Marion County Board has put off a decision on issuing a liquor license for the Lucky Barn that would be located on the north side of US 50 at the Banister Road east of Salem.
The decision came after several area residents raised objections to the liquor license, that would also allow video gaming, being located in the rural neighborhood.
Board Chair Debbie Smith wanted to make sure all those in the community had a chance to have a say.
“We would like those that are for it and not for it to be here and express their opinions, and then the Board will have time, media will have time to get it out to see if we can do that. I think we need to think about it a little more before a justifiable response.”
The issue will be back on the board agenda for Thursday night, November 10th, at seven pm in the meeting room in the basement of the Law Enforcement Center.
One member of the board, Bill Henson, was not in favor of the delay or not granting the license.
“We given other people opportunity and chances to have a business. I hate to turn down a business now after already setting a precedent allowing other businesses the opportunity.”
But Smith said this was different since there was opposition and there were safety concerns.
The Lucky Barn would be owned by Cheryl Koch. Her husband, Jeremy, noted the extra revenue the business could generate for the county. Those in opposition felt it was bad precedent for the future generations to depend on funding provided by alcohol, gambling and cannabis.
Jeremy said if the application was rejected he would look for some other type of business to utilize the barn structure, but wasn’t sure what it would be.
