Moose Lodge Withdraws Liquor License Application

The Johnson County Moose Lodge has opted to withdraw their application to renew their liquor license for 2023.

County Attorney Tucker Ruby said they had spoken with his office about their options.

The lodge was notified earlier this year that their lease at the previous building on South Main Street was not going to be renewed, so they needed to find another location.

The lodge had applied for a renewal of the license, although they did not have a set location to move into, and had asked the commission to allow them to hold their license for a year to give them an opportunity to find a new location, citing state statute that allows that.

According to discussions during the last commission meeting, there are an unlimited number of fraternal organization liquor licenses, so holding their current license was not necessary, as they can apply for it after they find a new home, and one would be available to them at that time.

During the meeting County Deputy Attorney Barry Crago said they would be better off waiting to apply for the license because once the fees are paidthey are non-refundable and it was in their better interest to find a new home for the lodge before expending funds for a license they could easily apply for and get once they are in that location.