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State Police: Liquor licenses and permits suspended for five businesses for violations of MDHHS emergency order

Total to 31 since September

LANSING — The Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) has issued emergency suspensions of the liquor licenses and permits for five more businesses across southern Michigan. The licensees’ multiple violations of the current Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Emergency Order on Gatherings and Face Masks include: allowing non-residential, in-person gatherings; providing in-person dining; failure to require face coverings for staff and patrons; and failure to prohibit patrons from congregating. Since September 2020, the MLCC has suspended liquor licenses of a total of 31 establishments located throughout the state for violations of the emergency and executive orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Dec. 21, MLCC Commissioners ordered emergency suspensions of the liquor licenses and permits held by R.C.A. Restaurant Group Corp. d/b/a Brooklyn’s located at 1254 Eureka in Wyandotte. The Commission issued an emergency suspension order of its Class C, and Specially Designated Merchant licenses and permit for Sunday Sales (P.M.). A virtual hearing before an Administrative Law Judge was held on Dec. 29, to determine whether this summary suspension should continue, or other fines and penalties should be imposed.

On Dec. 23, MLCC Commissioners ordered emergency suspensions of the liquor licenses and permits held by:

— Powell’s Tavern, LLC d/b/a Powell’s Pub located at 625 N. Huron St. in Ypsilanti. The MLCC issued an emergency suspension order of its Class C, and Specially Designated Merchant licenses and permits for Sunday Sales, (A.M. and P.M.) Dance, Outdoor Service Area, and Additional Bar.

— 107 S. Cochran, LLC d/b/a Mike’s Sports Page located at 107 S. Cochran Ave. in Charlotte. The MLCC issued an emergency suspension order of its Class C, and Specially Designated Merchant licenses and permits for Sunday Sales (P.M.), Dance, and Entertainment.

— J & S Hospitality, Inc. d/b/a Plymouth ROC Restaurant located at 1020 W. Ann Arbor Rd in Plymouth. The MLCC issued an emergency suspension order of its Class C license and permits for Sunday Sales (A.M. and P.M.), Dance, Entertainment, and Outdoor Service Area.

On Dec. 24, MLCC Commissioners ordered emergency suspensions of the liquor license and permits held by Sahara of Sterling Heights, Inc. d/b/a Sahara Restaurant located at 2390 Metropolitan Parkway in Sterling Heights. The MLCC issued an emergency suspension order of its Class C Resort license and permits for Sunday Sales (P.M.), Dance, Entertainment, and Outdoor Service Area.

The above-named licensees are scheduled to appear before an Administrative Law Judge on Dec. 30 for a virtual hearing via Zoom to determine whether this summary suspension should continue, or other fines and penalties should be imposed.

Licensees are strictly prohibited from allowing indoor gatherings, as defined by the MDHHS Gatherings and Face Mask Order, on their licensed premises. Further, these prohibited gatherings held without requiring patrons to wear face masks pose an immediate threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Allowing this activity to continue could create additional outbreaks of COVID-19.

Any licensed establishment that is in violation of the MDHHS emergency order will be held strictly accountable and risk suspension or revocation of its license. All licensees must not only comply with the MDHHS Orders, but also local health department orders, and local ordinances regarding reduced occupancy rates and social distancing protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MLCC Enforcement Division, is working diligently to ensure that licensees are compliant with the MDHHS orders. It investigates all complaints relative to allegations of violations of the Code, Rules and Executive and Emergency Orders, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. The MLCC thanks and appreciates the thousands of liquor licensees who are following the emergency orders and are keeping things safe.

The public can report any suspected non-compliance issue at an establishment directly to the MLCC by filing a complaint with the MLCC Enforcement Division online or by calling the division’s hotline, toll-free, at 866-893-2121. MLCC’s website at www.michigan.gov/lcc provides information on the MDHHS Emergency Order, indoor service restrictions, face mask requirements and Frequently Asked Questions for restaurants and bars.

To date, there have been more than 480,500 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan, resulting in more than 12,080 deaths. The MDHHS Order which became effective Dec. 21, states that the death rate is nine times higher than it was in early October and continues to increase with more than 800 weekly deaths in Michigan. Although the Food and Drug Administration granted an emergency use authorization for the first vaccine to prevent COVID-19 on Dec. 11, the pandemic is not yet at an end, and many more challenging months lay ahead.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

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