By Jason Freund 15

Allegations of unsavory and possibly illegal business practices at Chadwick’s Bar & Grill prompted the Carbondale Liquor Advisory Board to recommend that the city investigate the restaurant.

At Thursday’s meeting, the liquor board unanimously voted to refer the allegations to the Carbondale Local Liquor Commission and to request an audit of Chadwick’s Bar & Grill, 204 W. College St., after an employee alleged various charges about the restaurant’s practices.

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Bob Eikey, Chadwick’s kitchen manager, approached the board after Chairman John Benshoff gave a report of a recent visit to Chadwick’s during which some of the items on the menu were not available to customers.

There’s a lot going on at Chadwick’s, Eikey said. They (the food items) were not available because there was no food in the kitchen.

Chad Little, owner of Chadwick’s, was unable to be reached for comment and did not return phone calls. He was not at the meeting.

Eikey alleged that in addition to financial problems, receipts had been changed to meet the 51 percent non-alcohol sales required by a Class A-2 liquor license, and that problems with distributors, bad check writing and the purchase of liquor from sources other than distributors are common business practices for the restaurant.

They’re just trying to keep the doors open, legally and illegally, he said. They’re just doing everything they can to keep the doors open.

Eikey noted that he has filed a formal complaint with the Internal Revenue Service because he alleged employees have not been fully paid or have been paid in cash. He also told the board that Chadwick’s owed him about $1,500 in back pay.

Eikey also alleged that some liquor had been removed from another business in Carbondale to be used at Chadwick’s.

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They have removed some alcohol from Smil’in Jacks in the past, he said.

Chadwick’s had been involved in contract negotiations to manage Mardi Gras, which would have replaced Smil’in Jacks, 760 E. Grand Ave. Smil’in Jacks closed more than a month ago when the lease was broken by Leland Hartsfield, owner of Smil’in Jacks. The building remains closed because a contract could not be reached between Ed Wilmering, the owner of the building, and representatives of Chadwick’s.

Board member Morris McDaniel noted to the board the need to remember that the charges were still simply allegations.

In my opinion, I feel that these are allegations, he said. I think the board has taken the proper procedures and steps to investigate the questions that have been brought before the board. Personally, I caution my remarks with allegations.

The recommendations will be considered by the Carbondale Local Liquor Commission at its Dec. 16 meeting. If approved, the audit would come at the expense of the restaurant.

In other business, the board unanimously recommended approval of a Class A-2 liquor license for Lonestar Steakhouse & Saloon, 1160 E. Main St., scheduled to open Dec. 29.

The board also unanimously approved a recommendation to allow a kitchen addition to Sidetracks, 101 W. College St. Both recommendations will be considered by the Local Liquor Control Commission at its Dec. 16 meeting.