SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The NWT Liquor Licensing Board decided Wednesday afternoon there was insufficient evidence that Corner Mart violated the Liquor Act, citing the fact the liquor inspector failed to interact with patrons he claimed were drunk on the premises.

Liquor board chair Don Kindt added there were inconsistencies in testimonies from the inspector, an RCMP constable, a Corner Mart employee and a witness, which made it hard to draw any conclusions.

Jimmy Kong, who owns Corner Mart, said it was a "fair judgement but a losing deal."

"The liquor inspector was upset and made an emotional, personal decision," Kong said.

"I had to pay my lawyer a few thousand dollars, but in the long run at least I can keep my pride."

Corner Mart was accused of allowing intoxicated people to enter and remain on the premises following a visit from liquor inspector Kerry Nicholson on March 5.

Nicholson claimed there were four "heavily intoxicated" people, including one loud, boisterous man who threw "Chinese packets" - meaning soy sauce packets - at him, and another who had been denied entry from the Gold Range Hotel earlier that night.

Kindt said his testimony would have been given more weight had he directly interacted with the patrons instead of simply observing them.

Although the Liquor Board dismissed all allegations against Corner Mart, they did give Kong a verbal warning for arguing with Nicholson and asked that he post his liquor license in clear view of customers.

The Gold Range Hotel faced the liquor board Wednesday for a similar violation, and was fined $2,000 after the hotel's lawyer admitted intoxicated people were allowed entry.

The board also ordered that staff be given server training.

The hotel's second hearing, for charges of allowing intoxicated people on the premises and serving them alcohol, was scheduled for Thursday, May 19.

It has been postponed until September.

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