Two Freeborn County businesses threatened with liquor license suspensions
State says they violated Governor s COIVD safety rules.
Posted: Dec 20, 2020 11:08 AM
Posted By: Mike Bunge
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Two Freeborn County businesses are facing 60-day suspensions of their liquor licenses for violating Governor Walz’ COVID safety rules.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division (DPS-AGED) has notified The Interchange in Albert Lea and The Pour House in Clarks Grove that state agents observed both establishments violating Executive Order 20-99 which temporarily banned selling food and alcohol for onsite consumption.
DPS-AGED says The Interchange failed to comply with a Cease and Desist Order issued by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) on December 16. State agents say they observed the establishment remained open for on-premises consumption of food and alcohol on December 18.
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Minnesota regulators notified three more restaurants Saturday of plans to suspend their liquor licenses for bucking Gov. Tim Walz s COVID-19 order to close.
The Interchange in Albert Lea, Cornerstone in Monticello and the Pour House in Clarks Grove now face 60-day suspensions pending a hearing before an administrative judge. They join four other establishments Boardwalk Bar and Grill in East Grand Forks, Alibi Drinkery in Lakeville, Mission Tavern in Merrifield and Neighbors on the Rum in Princeton facing similar suspensions for violating Walz s executive order.
Violators could face a five-year liquor license suspension by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division.
Area restaurateur defies governor s order once again, faces license suspension, lawsuit mdjonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mdjonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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The latest executive order issued by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Wednesday the order that keeps in-person dining on pause at bars and restaurants across the state through the holidays hasn t been very popular, understandably, with Minnesota s hospitality industry.
But the state isn t showing any signs of letting businesses who wilfully violate that order get away with it. You might have seen that list of businesses who said Wednesday that they were going to open up anyway. Well, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison s office noticed and is moving forward and taking action against two bars who opened their business in defiance of the latest state order.
Josh Skluzacek Created: December 18, 2020 03:48 PM
A court has granted a temporary restraining order against a Lakeville restaurant that s violated COVID-19 restrictions, meaning it will now have to close for on-premises dining.
The Minnesota Department of Health said Friday that it issued cease-and-desist order to four restaurants who ve violated state restrictions by offering on-premises dining Alibi Drinkery, in Lakeville; The Interchange, in Albert Lea; The Pizza Depot, in Becker; and Hooligans Lakeside, in Lake Park.
According to MDH, both restaurants owners indicated they would continue violating the state s order when initially contacted. COVID-19 protocols are designed to slow the spread of this virus and reduce the impacts of this pandemic, MDH Assistant Commissioner Dan Huff said. Our preference is always to work with business to bring them into compliance, and we consider regulatory actions as a last resort. The vast majority of businesse