Council denies ax-throwing venue liquor license

Ax–throwing venues are coming to Lincoln.

One of them is Tomahawks.

“It gives a different opportunity for people to have fun and do something exciting,” Co-owner Shad Kearns said.

On Monday night, he and his brother Shane stood before the Lincoln City Council again, hoping to get approval for a liquor license.

But council members had concerns over the Kearns’ criminal violations.

“Shad, you had eight undisclosed convictions on your application and Shane, you had six undisclosed convictions on your application,” Councilman Roy Christensen said.

“Why do you feel that the city council should entrust you to be a guardian of certain laws regarding alcohol if your past convictions show that you had so little regard for those laws?” Councilwoman Jane Raybould said.

The Kearns brothers said they made poor decisions in the past and that they’re taking this business venture seriously.

“As a business owner, like Shad said, we have a lot invested in this company so we take it seriously and responsibly as well,” Shane Kearns said.

But alas, the council voted 4-2 to deny Tomahawks a liquor license.  They said they didn’t want to entrust the Kearnses with serving alcohol to patrons using weapons.

The council’s decision is only a recommendation to the state Nebraska Control Commission.  Tomahawks will still go to them for a liquor license.  No date is scheduled for that yet.