Rowdy Beaver shuts down, possibly for good

WICHITA — The Rowdy Beaver is closed, and it may not reopen.

"We have waited for a response on the liquor license," says managing partner Rod Minner Sr.

"They are dragging their feet," Minner says of state officials. "We can't afford to run a day-to-day operation and lose money."

Minner says it's been more than a month since the Rowdy Beaver's renewal application was submitted to the state.

Initially, Minner's son, Rodney, said the restaurant and bar's attorney didn't file in time.

Then, a representative of the Wichita Police Department said there was a possible issue with something called hidden ownership, where the person whose name is on the liquor license is not the one operating the restaurant.

"We've been told . . . by the city of Wichita there's absolutely nothing wrong," the senior Minner says.

He says he's heard "absolutely nothing" from the state, even after a message was left to say the business was at a critical point.

Minner says he has an attorney involved.

"Right now, we're just waiting to see where it ends up."

This story was originally published September 30, 2009 at 9:01 AM with the headline "Rowdy Beaver shuts down, possibly for good."