WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The Wausau Public Health and Safety Committee has denied a liquor license extension request from the owners of the Campus Pub.
The request from management came three months after the establishment was shut down by Wausau Police. City records show that since then there have been attempts to contact owner Kevin Steinke regarding the status of the business, but those were unsuccessful. That included two certified letters that went unreturned. Several phone calls were also unreturned.
Steinke has requested an extension for the establishment’s license but was not at Monday’s meeting to plead his case. That and the lack of communication had many on the committee doubting his commitment. “It speaks volumes to me when you have been made aware of all of that and still aren’t [at this meeting] or have made arrangements, acknowledge that you have a scheduling conflict and maybe you would like us to consider this at a different time. There has been no communication,” said Committee Chair Lisa Rasmussen.
“If he’s not here and not picking up his certified letters, what is the sense of holding on to the license?” added Alder Lou Larsen.
Information included in the agenda packet shows the Pub was deficient in several areas- the business wasn’t open and accessible to the public and ownership had failed to maintain active accounts with alcohol and food distributors.
Management also owes Badger Liquor Company about $7,760 and has an outstanding personal property tax bill to the city of Wausau.
Monday’s vote to allow the extension failed 0-4, with Alder Chad Henke absent. The measure now goes to the full council without committee recommendation, giving it little to no chance of approval.
