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‘Nuisance’ Bar Closed and Sold

WILLIAMSPORT — The Lycoming County District Attorney says police in Williamsport were called to Ann’s Tavern 15 times in just over a year. It’s why ...

WILLIAMSPORT -- The Lycoming County District Attorney says police in Williamsport were called to Ann’s Tavern 15 times in just over a year. It's why neighbors say they have been pushing to get the bar shut down and are now relieved to see has closed.

Now that there is a "sold" sign out front Ann’s Tavern, Helen Riggle hopes she'll sleep better.

When Riggle and her husband moved in across from the neighborhood bar about a year and a half ago the say Rose Street was quieter.

"Then they closed 5th Avenue Tavern and everything moved up here and it got worse," said Riggle.

"There was like people laying on the ground, people being thrown into cars driving away. It was pretty interesting actually,” said Andrew Klimek.

"Fighting, stabbing, assaults, robbery, theft, and public intoxication," said District Attorney Eric Linhardt.

City and county leaders worked with liquor control to close the place for good.

"Ann's Tavern is now the third nuisance bar in the city that we have permanently closed since 2014," said Linhardt.

The two other bars that have recently closed in Williamsport are The Port Tavern on Franklin Street and the Fifth Avenue Tavern. That land is now owned by Penn College and the bar has been torn down.

As for Ann’s Tavern, owners agreed to close the bar and the property was sold last week along with its liquor license. Because of a new deed, the new owners can never sell liquor at the property.

"It was like the hole in the wall in the area that everyone liked to go to," said Dane Blotz.

Dane Boltz is a sophomore at Penn College and used to bartend at Ann’s Tavern.

"I don't believe it was the owners, I believe it was the crowd was there. Too many instances where the cops were called and eventually that will just lead to a shutdown," said Boltz.

The Lycoming County District Attorney tells us he is working with other taverns and bars in Williamsport to prevent criminal activity. His advice is stronger security, more lighting, and extra training for staff in case of an emergency.

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