Desperado's bar sold; 'Wild West' waiting for city liquor license
By Jeremy Shapiro
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Desperado’s is done but a new bar is planning to emerge in its place shortly.
Following losing its state liquor license and having an appeal denied, Desperado’s shut down.
A previous employee of Desperado’s has bought the bar. Michael Soyez is listed in permit documents as the new owner. Teri Gurley was the previous owner.
Soyez said he has received a state liquor license is awaiting inspections from the Emporia Fire Department and from the Lyon County Health Department. The city liquor license can’t be issued until inspections are complete.
Desperado’s, 802 Graham St., had its liquor license revoked in July because of underage drinking violations. The bar appealed the decision by the Kansas Alcohol Beverage Control, but the appeal was denied by Kansas Secretary of Revenue Nick Jordan.
Rather than take the matter to district court, Gurley elected to close and sell the bar to Soyez.
Jeannine Koranda, public information officer for the Kansas Department of Revenue, confirmed the state issued the liquor license for Wild West. She said the owner, officer or shareholder of Desperado’s is not permitted to hold a liquor license. An employee is permitted as long as he or she was not an owner, officer or shareholder with the establishment that had the license revoked, she said.
Soyez said the bar will be open approximately the same hours as Desperado’s and operations would be similar. He said they will still have live entertainment and they will try to start karaoke.
“That will be a little different approach,” he said. “We may have some wireless mics for the crowd.”
Koranda said Desperado’s liquor license was revoked in early July because of multiple underage drinking violations.
The bar had 15 days to appeal and continued to operate during that time.
Emporia police issued tickets to three underage drinkers for possession of alcohol at Desperado’s shortly after midnight July 14. A fourth and fifth person were cited for disorderly conduct stemming from a fight at the bar that same night. According to the police log, there have been other altercations at the bar this summer.
Soyez said he would limit the amount of minors allowed in to try to curb underage drinking.
“That way we can keep an eye on them,” he said.
According to the Emporia city clerk’s office, Soyez received his state license on Aug. 22. Before he gets his city license, he has to get approval from the fire, police and health departments.
If it’s issued, the city license will run until Aug. 21, 2013.
93shocarguy (anonymous) says...
Very interesting...Michael Soyez is the son of Ralph Soyez...Ralph owns the property, I believe along with his old business partner Gary Gurly...husband of Teri/Sue Gurly. This is simply a shuffling of the names on paper and not a change in ANYTHING. Nothing will be different. This is simply a name change so they can keep right on operating. If the city or state thinks anything will be different they are insane!
August 31, 2011 at 12:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jasper007 (anonymous) says...
Good observation "93". It has been this way in Emporia for a long time. Since the rule or law was changed where you could only be on so many licenses, this dance has been going on. Aren't the Gurleys also involved in Mallards?
August 31, 2011 at 1:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wichitawings (anonymous) says...
You are sooooo right. I would like the city to ask to see the loan papers and price paid for the bar to prove money actually changed hands on this deal. Sounds like a lot of fake paper to get around state laws.
August 31, 2011 at 1:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I HOPE THEY GET OPENED UP SOON!
Keep those tax dollars coming in, Emporia.
August 31, 2011 at 3:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rmbcollege (anonymous) says...
Have not been to this bar in years, but I did enjoy it when I went there. Although even while I was going, underage drinkers were a problem, but they never really checked out there often.
August 31, 2011 at 3:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hometownkid (anonymous) says...
".93" and Wichita wings, YOU ARE CORRECT !!! It's going to be the same ol' thing out at the cowboy palace !! Three different name same owners ! I hope the city asks some serious questions. Does anyone know what happened to the dugout?? Have they been turned down/approved for the city license?? I haven't drove by to notice
Hometownkid
August 31, 2011 at 4:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Devils Advocate here.
If the new owner has a state license, he has passed all of the numerous qualifications of the state.
AND THERE ARE MANY, including ownership of the business and the building!
ACCORDING TO CITY CODE:
(e) Before any license as required by this article is issued, the premises shall be inspected by the chief of police, the county health department, the fire chief, the building official or a representative thereof, who shall report to the city clerk in writing. The license application shall be refused if REASONABLE requirements as to health, sanitation, fire protection, construction and policing are not met.
(Ord. No. 88-11, § 4, 5-4-88; Ord. No. 91-14, § 2, 9-4-91)
So, if the new owner passes these inspections, he should get a city license.
How can the city hold the new owner liable for problems from past owners? THAT IS NOT REASONABLE. Unless the city changes their laws, I don't think they can.
Give the kid a chance. If things don't change, hold him responsible, and then deal with it.
August 31, 2011 at 5:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I remember how the old Ship's Lounge used to get passed around from name to name, especially after some ruckus had taken place. This place is the same. Old Ralph has his fingers in many pots-- juke boxes, pool tables, etc...
August 31, 2011 at 5:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
careful create,
You are showing your age. Yes, Ralph has his fingers in many pots, but the license isn't going to him, it's going to his son. member the old saying:
"You can pick your nose, you can pick your friends, you can even pick your friends nose, but you can't pick your relatives":>)
August 31, 2011 at 6:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
August 31, 2011 at 10:31 p.m. ( permalink )
wyankee49 (anonymous) says...
Wait a minute I thought that the new owner was part of the good old boys Gang, am I right or wrong?????
August 31, 2011 at 11:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
inaweoftheblindness (anonymous) says...
Desperados sold and re opening....hmmm...same song different singer. Nothing will change there trust me. It's a minors hang out and will continue to be that. Before long it will be in the news again about the same charges, different licence holder ;)
September 1, 2011 at 12:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I don't understand all the negativity about this.
Unless you are all non- drinkers.
COME ON ! Give Michael Wayne a chance.
This bar being closed is just another reason for college students to leave town on the weekends.
Remember, "SHOP EMPORIA FIRST !"
September 1, 2011 at 7:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Like I said Steve, "Old" Ralph. It's a pursestrings thing, uh huh.
tourguide, LOL, are you sure that was Jesse who shot up the Ship's Lounge or was it brother Max?
Whew, showing my age indeed, can't quite remember.
September 1, 2011 at 8:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wyankee49 (anonymous) says...
Alright Mr. Corbin personnel I was just asking the question about the new owner, And a answer to your Question yes I drink. The last statement about the college students leave town is not that true. I would like to know the percentage of the drinkers are college kids. I think that the northeast and the main part of Commercial has more than enough bars to keep the kids in town. (That's just the way I see things)
September 1, 2011 at 11:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Glitterbird (anonymous) says...
I'm a non-drinker and I think it's great it's not going to be an empty building. So good luck on your new venture.
September 1, 2011 at 12:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I did not mean to offend anyone, wyankee49.
Sorry if i did.
My only point is whether or not anyone likes it, the way the laws read now, the new owner will probably get his city license.
Maybe things will change? If they don't, then the new owner will get closed and someone else will have to cough up the money for a new license. More money for the city and state.
There ARE plenty of bars downtown, just none with as big of a dance floor available. And the different bars all serve a certain niche in this market. For Emporia to lose one this large is just bad.
September 1, 2011 at 12:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wichitawings (anonymous) says...
Steve if we are shopping Emporia first why are they putting up timber at the Bowyer building that was special ordered out of MONTANA!!!
September 1, 2011 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wichitawings (anonymous) says...
And by the way Steve its not Michael Wayne it is Michael Soyez
September 1, 2011 at 1 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
americus1987 (anonymous) says...
The kids who get caught for underage drinking in emporia are ignorant at best. I grew up and and went to college here and I knew going to the bar in this town would be nothing but trouble before I was 21. I could count on my hands how many times I went to a bar in emporia before 21. So I would just go to Lawrence, had many good times up there underage and when you did get caught, you were usually just escorted out without the cops even being notified. Yeah in return spending time up there did lead to me buying more stuff than I ever would have on a normal weekend in emporia when I was underage. And we wonder why our under 21 college population bolts for home on the weekends and summers? Not student friendly, kids like eating something else beside mcdonalds, and for the "non-drinking" underagers; there is actually something for them to do!
September 1, 2011 at 2:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Wichitawings,
I should have made myself clear.
Wayne is his middle name.
Michael Wayne Soyez.
sorry.
September 1, 2011 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
Create, My post was removed. Guess I ruffled somebodys feathers. I will not try to pi$$ anybody off again. I don't live there anymore, my kids do.. I don't want to make their life in town worse than it is. But I stated it right. Jess & "Turkey' @ Bob's club, 72' Bye 4 now. Off 2 da Lake...
September 1, 2011 at 3:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Create, Ships lounge,,,remember many fri after class spent there.....I think its great the bar will reopen soon.Emporia needs to keep in mind,ESU students spend money and pay sales tax.Emporia should not want to restrict recreation for students at the risk of running our students to other regent institutions.Im all for more bars "recreation" , anything that might attract more enrollment.
September 1, 2011 at 3:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Sorry your post was removed, tourguide. I think because you used first and last name. LOL. Hope you had fun at the lake.
September 1, 2011 at 4:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gemini (anonymous) says...
Michael has been around his dad's business(es) since he was a kid. If nothing else, he has learned from the mistakes made by other bar owers and hopefully will do good things for the Emporia bar scene. I'm kinda surprised it's taken this long for him to acquire something of his own.
Emporia has to maintain what little variety. This town is starting to become a black hole as far as bars and clubs are concerned, which is devasting for a "college" town. Granted, I dislike country and don't frequent that bar but its one less thing Emporia stands to lose.
And selling within the "family" has gone on for YEARS in this town for several bars. It's just how it's done around here.
September 1, 2011 at 7:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Ive heard it said many students come to ESU for an education,and many students leave ESU with a quality education and a record.Think its time for our police to lighten up and become officer friendly again.
September 2, 2011 at 7:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )