Sharon Valley Tavern gets license, will reopen

SHARON —A tavern liquor permit has been granted by the state to Jessica Kain, owner of the Sharon Valley Tavern, who said the business will reopen by the end of September.

The tavern is located on Sharon Valley Road in a historic building dating back to the 1800s. The permit was given by the Department of Consumer Protection after a formal administrative hearing Aug. 14.

In a memorandum of decision, the department noted that the state police reported five incidents there from July 10, 2006, to Dec. 22, 2006, when it was run by Kain’s father, Joseph.

But when Jessica Kain took over the tavern, from August to December 2007, under the prior permit, no incidents were reported.

The department’s decision also noted that Kain intends to offer a selection of local wines in an effort to make the business more enticing to upscale tourists.

Kain has faced several roadblocks in getting her tavern a new permit since she applied in February. That month, residents circulated a petition asking the department to deny Kain’s request.

The authors of the petition contended that there were instances of illegal drug sales and excessive alcohol distribution at the tavern. Joseph Kain was arrested in December 2006 and convicted in August 2007 for the sale of hallucinogenic narcotics. He was sentenced to three years in jail but was released after six months, according to the state of Connecticut judiciary Web site. He must serve three years of probation. Although Kain was not available to confirm this, and his daughter would not speak about her father’s sentence, one source said a condition of his parole is that he not be involved in any business where liquor is sold.

Kain’s attorney, Michael Sconyers of Ackerly Brown, said  he has not spoken to his client in several months, and would not comment.

First Selectman Malcolm Brown had endorsed the February citizens’ group petition. However, last Wednesday,  he said he wishes Jessica Kain “the bestâ€� with the tavern.

“I hope the business does well,� Brown said. “When I wish her the best, what I mean is that I hope the license is used exactly the way it is meant to be used. If you have a car, it does not mean you have a license for commercial use. There are various classes of licenses, but you cannot operate a truck with a standard automobile license. I also think the concerns of the neighborhood have to be taken into consideration.�

Jessica Kain said she will only serve wine and beer at the tavern; a tavern does not serve hard liquor. There are fewer than five taverns remaining in the state.

There were also concerns that the tavern had been selling food, even though it does not have health department approval. The requirements for a food service license in Connecticut are stringent.

“If we were to serve any food, it would be prepackaged food, like beef jerky and peanuts,� Kain said. “I just feel excited that we are about to be open. I think hard work pays off.�

She said that she plans to keep the tavern open from 3 to 11 p.m.

“Although it depends on how long people want to stay here,� Kain said. “Hopefully people will want to stay here all night, have fun and socialize.�

Although Kain owns the business, she would not comment on who owns the building itself. The deed lists Sandra Kain, Jessica’s mother, as the trustee of the building but Town Clerk Linda Amerighi said she is unclear about exactly what that means.

Also, while the building is at 151 Sharon Valley Road, the department of consumer protection’s decision lists the tavern property address as 141 Sharon Valley Road. According to Amerighi, 141 Sharon Valley Road does not exist.

While Kain added that she would like to leave the past behind, posters remain on telephone poles near the tavern, offering a cash reward for information about the murder of Sharon valley resident Floyd Ellis Jr.

Ellis’ body was found face down in Webatuck Creek on Sept. 24, 2004, by a friend. Ellis had been missing for four days.

The death was ruled “suspicious� by the state police, and the Western District Major Crime Squad of the Connecticut State Police took over the investigation. No one has been arrested.

Several witnesses said they observed Ellis drinking at the tavern the evening of Sept. 20. The tavern is not far from the creek.