By FRED SWIFT
Kevin Paul, owner of Carmel’s controversial GOAT tavern, did not get the immediate ruling he wanted Tuesday when he went to court seeking an order to re-open his business.
The GOAT, located at Second Street SW and the Monon Greenway, was closed by order of the City of Carmel for violation of the city zoning ordinance. The tavern has been the subject of a controversy over its operating hours.
Paul had opened last year under an exception in a residential zone that had been granted several years ago allowing a breakfast and lunch restaurant, Bub’s Cafe, to maintain hours ending at 2 p.m. daily.
When the GOAT remained open well past midnight, neighbors complained of loud noise and bothersome behavior by some customers. City officials had initially allowed the operation under the exception granted to the previous cafe.
But, earlier this month the tavern was ordered closed. In Hamilton Superior Court on Tuesday, Judge Jon Brown held a preliminary hearing on Paul’s plea to be allowed to reopen.
The judge set a second hearing for June 10 when a ruling may determine whether or not the GOAT can resume operations.