State challenged on who can operate Tuckahoe liquor store

A restauranteur who is trying to open a liquor and wine store in Tuckahoe claims that the New York State Liquor Authority improperly renewed the license of an operator who had abandoned the location.

Artan Shotaj, owner of AGA Liquors & Wine LLC, petitioned Westchester Supreme Court on April 19 to annul a liquor license held by Viktor Pali and VIP Wine and Liquor LLC.

There was no legitimate basis for renewing VIP’s license, the petition states, and the “State Liquor Authority has ignored the facts in its own files and records.”

VIP operated as Wines & Good Spirits at 4 Fisher Ave., catty-corner from the Crestwood train station.

Shotaj — who owns La Botte Ristorente in White Plains and ran a steakhouse in Pelham for several years — wants to open Tuckahoe Wine & Spirits in the Fisher Avenue store.

A year ago, a lawyer for landlord Jermel Realty Corp. notified the State Liquor Authority that Pali abruptly vacated the storefront on Jan. 27, 2023.

“When he vacated,” the letter stated, “he took everything with him, including the stock of wine and liquor as well as the license that had hung on the wall. The premises is now empty, and landlord looks to rent to another (similar) business.”

Jermel leased the storefront to Shotaj last August, for five years beginning at $48,000 a year. Shotaj began renovating the space and submitted an application for a temporary retail permit.

Ever since, according to the petition, Pali has never gone to the store or contacted the landlord.

Instead of surrendering his license, the petition states, Pali placed it in safekeeping with the state three months after he abandoned the Tuckahoe site, and filed to renew the license and move it to a storefront on East Main Street in Mount Kisco.

The state renewed Pali’s license. It denied the removal to Mount Kisco and denied Shotaj a temporary retail permit.

Shotaj claims that the maneuvers were improper.

A license many not be used or put in safekeeping without a place of operation, according to the petition. And by renewing Pali’s license for the Tuckahoe storefront, the state cannot issue another license for the same place.

Shotaj is asking the court to order the State Liquor Authority to set aside and annul Pali’s license.

State Liquor Authority spokesman Patrick Garrett said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.