Scrutiny Continues Over Hookah Bar’s Permits

After the New Year’s Day shooting at Kulture Hookah Bar in Huntington, WCHS TV filed Freedom of Information Act request to see the permits and emails related to those permits. The documents show the bar’s owner Charon Reese first obtained a retail business permit in May 2019. She then applied for a special permit license to open a bar at the Fourth Avenue location in July. City leaders say Reese never obtained any of the other permits necessary to operate a bar, including a state liquor license. Mayor Steve Williams said more than 20 inspections were done at the business and there were no actionable problems prior to the shooting. City leaders in Huntington are looking at strengthening the vetting process of business license applicants in the future.