Farewell drag show marks closing of embattled Columbia County tapas bar

Jodie and Dennis Minniear moved to the Indianapolis area five years ago, but didn’t think twice about coming back to support their friend Renee Hajek on the closing day of her embattled Columbia County business, Stay Social Tap and Table.

The restaurant featuring self-serve beer taps and stacks of board games is closing after the county revoked the establishment’s alcohol license. County leaders concluded earlier this year that Stay Social didn’t obey a local ordinance requiring that an “eating establishment” serving by-the-drink alcohol must derive at least 50% of its "gross annual sales” from food.

Several supporters of the business have alleged the license revocation was a reaction to Stay Social playing host to shows featuring drag queens over the summer.

Revoked:Columbia County tapas bar loses alcohol license; citizen points to bar hosting drag shows

Uphill battle:As Stay Social fights to stay open, past shows loss of alcohol license hard to overcome

Final ruling:Judge upholds decision to revoke Stay Social's alcohol license

“The back story of it all, how it came down, we don’t know exactly from not living here. But I think it’s not the way to do business,” Dennis Minniear said. “I get it. Everybody has their own beliefs. But if you don’t like it, don’t shut people down who you don’t like.”

On Friday, Stay Social ended the same way the restaurant controversy supposedly began – with a drag show.

“In kind of thinking through how we can get rid of as much goods as possible, and at the same time still try to generate money – because we still need to make payroll and finish paying our bills we have here – we thought what better way because we know it draws a crowd,” Hajek said Friday afternoon of the drag show. “We know the drag community is out in full support, as they have been, because of what has happened. We just decided why not go out with a bang? Obviously, it’ll be just as family-friendly as it was before.”

C.J. Hoyt, who performs in drag as Trashbarbie420, said Stay Social has been a favorite performance venue.

“I was born and raised right here in Columbia County, and where we stand, I played as a child. I used to fly kites right here," Hoyt said. “I’ve always dreamed of being an entertainer, and when this opportunity came, I latched onto it as quick as I could.”

Offers have been streaming in to Hajek regarding Stay Social’s remaining inventory, particularly the computerized system of dozens of self-serve beverage taps that once dispensed an array of craft beers. The offers have ranged from individual pieces to lock, stock and barrel.

Her response: Please wait.

“I have been approached by a lot of people that say don’t sell your system, come here, do this, let’s go into business together,” she said. “I’ve even been approached by another operator of the iPourIt system. It currently has three locations and they’re looking to do another one, and they want to buy everything. I basically just said to everybody, ‘I just need a minute.’ I want the dust to settle, and figure out what it is I want to do going forward.”

Hajek said she hopes to end 2022 and begin 2023 the same way – quietly.

“I really thought I want to start off this new year in a very peaceful environment,” she said. “I’ve had to fight for so long and give up all of my energy and all of my time that really belongs to my children. So we’re going to stay home.”

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Columbia County tapas bar closes for good with final drag show