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EAST PALESTINE -- Agents from the Division of Ohio Liquor Control (DOLC) removed all high-proof inventory from the East Palestine Liquor Shop, 40 E. Taggart St., on Friday morning.
"High-proof" refers to spirituous liquor with an alcohol content exceeding 21% by volume or over 42 proof, according to DOLC. High-proof liquor can only be purchased at designated state-run liquor stores also known as "state stores" in Ohio.
WFMJ reported that the Ohio Department of Commerce, under which the DOLC operates, said that the shop, owned and operated by Ann Doss, is no longer able to sell high-proof liquor as a result of multiple financial breaches of contractual obligations and failure to implement agreed-upon corrective actions.
According to the DOLC to be a state-store in Ohio, spirituous liquor is provided by JobsOhio Beverage System on a consignment basis. The agent (store owner) makes daily deposits into a checking account in their own name. The overall expenses of operating the business are paid entirely by the agent, including bank account fees and the premium for a surety bond that is based on the value of the inventory.
State-run liquor stores also provide high-proof liquor for bars and other on-site consumption liquor holders. Bars and restaurants must purchase high-proof inventory from a specific state-store designated by the DOLC. It was not clear if the East Palestine Liquor Shop was such a designated retailer for any area business.
Doss, who also owned and operated the Marathon Station in the village until recently, told the media partner WKBN in December that the 2023 train derailment proved costly for both of her businesses. Doss had operated the gas station for 24 years but relied on Pennsylvania customers for half of her revenue. The closure of Taggart Street, a direct route across the stateline, forced Doss to sell her gas station last year.
According to court records dated last year in the Columbiana County Common Pleas, Doss was sued for breach-of-contract by vendor ABL Wholesale in Columbiana for unpaid inventory Doss received on a credit account. In January, ABL Wholesale was granted a judgment of $121,85 plus 8% interest.
The East Palestine Liquor Shop will remain open and continue to sell beer, wine, "low-proof" liquor and non-alcoholic merchandise.