The City Council has approved a liquor license transfer that will allow a limited liability company to set up a storefront in the old Wissinger Shopping Village complex, after voiding the transfer in a tie vote last month.

The vote this time was 6-1, with only Dave Butterbaugh in opposition.

“I’ve talked to the people who have applied and understand the improvements they’re going to make,” Councilwoman Shelley Clinich said afterward, explaining why she voted in favor this time after voting against the transfer last month, along with Butterbaugh and Councilman Ron Beatty. . “It gave me clarity so I had the right information.”

He’s happy now, said Drew Patel, principal at SR Bev LLC, which will use the license formerly held by Bellwood’s Bopin’s Brew at the new location on Walnut Avenue.

“I appreciate these people coming back and reapplying,” said Councilman Dave Ellis, who last month voted in favor of the transfer along with Jesse Ickes and Bruce Kelley, creating a tie in Mayor Matt Pacifico’s absence.

SR Bev’s principal owners have other businesses in Blair County and have operated them responsibly, according to attorney Tom Hooper, speaking to the council before it made its decision. Based on those past operations, the owners could be “good stewards” of the former Bellwood license, Hooper said.

The Liquor Control Board typically enforces its regulations strictly, so dispensing beer shouldn’t cause problems, Kelley said after the vote.

And it makes sense for the board to support small businesses like Patel’s, Kelley said.

Butterbaugh led the opposition last month based on requests from neighbors who did not want beer distributed in the neighborhood.

The LCB didn’t do the neighborhood any favors with how it regulated a facility that used to be nearby, Butterbaugh said.

“Maybe I’ll be proven wrong this time,” he said.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.