Musical Inn loses state liquor permit in Canton Township
CANTON TWP. – State liquor authorities have revoked the permit for the Musical Inn following complaints from township trustees and neighbors.
The establishment, at 3941 Navarre Road SW, unsuccessfully went before the state Division of Liquor Control to retain its license. The Musical Inn is owned by Mark Mills.
“The permit holder can file an appeal if they choose to do so,” said Michael Gravely, public relations officer for the state Division of Liquor Control. “It looks like the owner did not file an appeal. If the owner did not file an appeal, he no longer has a liquor license. Mr. Mills contacted us and he said he was going to cancel his license.”
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Attracting a raucous crowd?
Township trustees joined some residents in the neighborhood and Stark County sheriff’s deputies in making a claim the tavern has been a magnet for raucous activity.
“I think we heard from enough of the immediate neighbors of the number of emergency responses,” Trustee Mark Shaffer said. “It was presenting a nuisance environment. We heard from several of the neighbors. … The Division of Liquor Control found there was cause for concern. There was a reason the liquor permit was pulled.”
While Mills owned the liquor license, the building is the property of Lou Ann Smith, a township resident, according to Stark County real estate records.
The tavern presented “a lot of issues,” said Gerard Yost, an assistant prosecutor with the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office. “Noise complaints, parking complaints, after-hours complaints, shootings. The neighbors are really upset about their hours.”
Yost provided legal counsel to township trustees during their ordeal with Musical Inn.
“It has been one of the sore spots for us due to the type of violent activity that occurs there,” said Sgt. Craig Kennedy of the Stark County Sheriff’s Office. “We have a lot of known gang members that attend that bar. We have had several arrests of persons with ounces of drugs on them. And that is a significant amount from a traffic stop.”
Shaffer said there have been reports that people have been patronizing the establishment even after the liquor permit was not renewed.
“Those concerns have been forwarded to law enforcement,” he said.
The establishment was closed during a reporter’s visit late one recent weekday afternoon. However, a placard mounted to the building stated H&J’s Hideway.
“We are going to get in contact with the Ohio Investigative Unit,” Kennedy said. “I will touch base with them and see what their game plan is.”
In 2021, township trustees failed in their attempt to have another tavern lose its liquor permit. The state Division of Liquor Control turned down Brick City Lounge’s attempt to have its liquor permit renewed. But Egbert Brown, the operator of Brick City Lounge at 2820 Eighth St. NE, was successful on his appeal to the Ohio Liquor Control Commission.
Reach Malcolm at 330-580-8305
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