Influx of Liquor Licenses in Oxford

BY MARIEL PADILLA | Miami University Journalism Student

Kofenya, located on 38 W High St., bid for and received Oxford’s last remaining liquor licenses from the former Morning Sun Cafe last April.

In the past three months, however, seven more liquor licenses became available due to an unexpected license cancellation, redistribution and increased population estimation, sanctioned by the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Liquor Control.

Although Kofenya owner Liz Snyder paid the steep price for what was mistakenly thought to be the last remaining permits, manager Kathryn Marsman said, “It’s business. Things are going to happen that you didn’t prepare for. It’s paying itself off just fine.”

On Aug. 14, three liquor licenses resurfaced because the former Stadium bar’s liquor licenses were cancelled and immediately redistributed. Then on Sept. 1, the Ohio Liquor Commission increased Oxford’s estimated population, adding four more available liquor permits. According to Ohio's liquor quota system, one license is issued for 2,000 residents.

The old Stadium Bar & Grille, previously located on 16 S Poplar St., closed more than three years ago, but the owners kept three liquor licenses: beer, wine and liquor. The beer permit is being transferred to Miami’s Millett Hall, the wine permit is going to the university's Goggin Ice Center and the liquor permit is going to Phan Shin, located on 104 W High St., according to Oxford’s Economic Development Director Alan Kyger.

Oxford uses a population quota to regulate the selling of liquor. Two of the four new licenses resulting from the increased population estimation are going to the new Rapid Fired Pizza, while the rest remain available.

In addition, Scotty’s Brewhouse, located on 325 S College Ave., is opening this semester. It will serve beer, wine and liquor. O’Pub is also planning an expansion that will sell beer, wine and liquor with the food.

“There’s some that have a negative connotation of liquor,” Kyger said. “When you look through the whole list, there are a couple places, some of the bars, that have a lot of police and fire runs, but 95 percent of that list are good places, good businesses.”

In 2014, former President David Hodge created an Alcohol Task Force for Miami University students and the surrounding community. The 11 members, composed of professors and administrators, focus on the issue of high risk alcohol consumption both on and off campus.

“I understand that some people don’t want their environment of the town or culture to change. It can, and a lot of times it does mean rowdy, but I don’t think it’s going to get any more rowdy than it already is,” Marsman said. “If anything, it brings business in. It keeps it in Oxford.”

Photo: a row of businesses on High Street, Oxford’s Uptown area. -- Contributed photo