Claire v. New York State Liquor Authority

The State Liquor Authority (SLA) denied the application of Dennis D. Claire to remove his premises licensed for retail sales three times. After the third denial Claire petitioned this court pursuant to article 78 of the Civil Practice Act, to review the most recent of these determinations.

In 1954 Claire was licensed to operate a liquor store. Seventeen months later his application to move was denied. Another six months went by and he asked for a transfer to his present location, which was of course granted (June 5, 1956). Then, in October, 1960, he sought the first of his three unsuccessful…