City Council Denies Liquor License Transfer for Brothers Bar & Grill

ST. CLOUD - An application to transfer the liquor license for Brothers Bar and Grill in downtown St. Cloud has been denied. The St. Cloud City Council voted 4-3 against the transfer of the on-sale intoxicating and special Sunday liquor license.

City staff recommended that the transfer be denied because one of the of the applicants, Ryan Lettner, was convicted in 2008 of a felony in Fillmore County, as well as omissions made on the application relating to previous employment.

Lettner, and his business partner Paul Larson, says they've been working to pay off the current owners' debts and back taxes.

They say without the liquor license approval, it's possible the restaurant on 5th Avenue in downtown St. Cloud could close.

City staff say Lettner and Larson have the option of reworking their application, and reapplying for a liquor license.

Brothers Bar and Grill opened in downtown St. Cloud in May of 2012.