12/17/2025
Larry and I had the nicest visit with the Idaho State Police Alcohol Beverage Control inspectors yesterday. They came to the cafe to check our licensing and to make sure we are on the up and up where our bar is concerned. Usually that sort of thing gives those of us who are business owners a little bit of nerves - like when the health inspector walks in the door - just makes you hope that you did everything you needed to do for a good inspection.
They asked us all the usual questions, “do we cater?”, “do we serve alcohol in our facility currently”, looked our licensing over and checked to make sure we were purchasing from Lucy up at the Liquor Store and that we had the right little tags on all the bottles. It was such a great experience, truly they were so nice - we visited about other things and they came back for lunch, which was a good thing - I mean Chicken Fried Steak lunch special right?
We haven’t had an inspection in such a long time, so out of curiosity we asked if everyone was being inspected and what do you know, someone wants our liquor license and turned us in as not using our license “correctly” Image that, someone called ABC and told them we were not being honest human beings - and why you ask? Because they want our license.
We are in the 21st century, we have telephones, we have the internet, we have a door you can walk in. We are all people who live in the community together - heck some of us have watched some of the others of you grow up, we know your parents, your grandparents and so on. We have also worked alongside some of the others of you within business, we’ve given you help when you’ve asked for our help, without question - the answer is YES if we can, always! Why not just call us - I mean, we aren’t here to hurt anyone and we can’t understand the need for others to try to do that to us, whether you want our liquor license or not.
Please know that we are thankful to you, whoever called ABC, that we got to meet the inspectors, they were gentlemen and so kind and considerate to us. We passed the standard ABC inspection with flying colors - we are doing everything just right for our business - OUR BUSINESS, which has been running since the mid 1940’s. IF you want something that is ours, that we use in our facility (whether our bar is open in the evening or NOT) then just give us a call. It’s the kind thing to do.
Larry and I, along with our staff use the Y-Inn Cafe Lounge just exactly as much as we want to, within the law and with a legal licensing given to us by not only the state of Idaho but also the County of Custer and the City of Challis - for 17 ½ years now in our possession, 20+ years before that in our sisters possession and many, many, many years before that in all the other owners possession. You are welcome to purchase the Y-Inn Cafe, call Hether Lambson and she will give you the details - but unless you want to buy our business, please don’t tell us how to use our liquor license, K?
We wish everyone in the community an amazing holiday season, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year etc etc and we will see you at the cafe, where you can enjoy an adult beverage with your lunch as long as you have your ID with you.
Larry and Vicky
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