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Alcohol stops flowing at Oggi's
Pub still open as owners work to get new liquor license
APPLE VALLEY • The taps have temporarily run dry at Oggi's Pizza and Brewing Co., as the pub's owners work to secure a proper liquor license for their new format.
“We feel really, really horrible,” Rianne Richey, who owns the Bear Valley Road business with her husband, Randy, said by phone Friday. “We have a staff of 60 and it’s going to be tough on them — and right in the middle of the holidays.”
The Richeys found out Nov. 17 that the liquor license they renewed in September is no longer valid, forcing them on Monday to stop serving alcohol until the issue is worked out.
The restaurant, which is one of 15 franchised locations in the Southern California chain, sold its onsite brewery in order to expand the bar and seating. Since the liquor license they had was for an onsite brew pub, Richey said they looked into switching it and thought they had until the licensing lottery next September.
“We made a huge mistake,” she said.
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control did not fine them, Richey said, and did not take away the license they had. However, Richey said they really have no idea how long it’ll be before they can start serving alcohol again.
She said they found someone willing to sell them the proper liquor license; now it’s just a matter of getting through escrow and the rest of the red tape to transfer it over.
In the meantime, the pub is still open for food, non-alcoholic drinks and as a spot to catch the football game. Customers have been very supportive this week, Richey said, accepting soda and iced tea in their refillable beer growlers.
“I’ve had girls here for five years and they have come to me, offering to give up shifts,” Richey said. “We’re a family and we will make it through this.”
Brooke Edwards Staggs may be reached at (760) 955-5358 or at BEdwards@VVDailyPress.com.
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