The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement division (DPS-AGED) has suspended the liquor license of the Boardwalk Bar & Grill LLC in East Grand Forks, for continuing to violate Executive Order 20-99. The 60-day suspension is effective now until February 9, 2021.
Further violations will result in a five-year liquor license revocation.
Executive Order 20-99 Implementing a Four Week Dial Back on Certain Activities to Slow the Spread of COVID-19, prohibits all restaurants and bars from selling alcohol for on-premises consumption from November 20, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. through December 18, 2020, at 11:59 p.m.
The Attorney General and the Minnesota Department of Health have also taken action in an effort to bring this establishment into compliance with the Executive Order. The Polk County District Court on Friday granted the Attorney General’s motion for a temporary restraining order to prohibit the Boardwalk Bar and Grill from remaining open to the public for on-premises dining, as required under Executive Order 20-99.
“While we recognize the struggles that bars and liquor establishments have experienced, willful disregard of the law that puts Minnesotans in danger cannot and will not be ignored. People’s lives have to take precedent during this pandemic,” said Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington. “We will continue to work with our local public safety and business partners to educate and provide advice to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Advisory to the liquor industry
DPS-AGED has sent a letter to the liquor industry with further information related to Executive Order 20-99, reminding licensees that:
All restaurants and bars are prohibited from selling alcohol for on-premises consumption from November 20, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. through December 18, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
Establishments with on-sale liquor licenses are allowed to sell beer and wine with takeout orders pursuant to legislation signed by Governor Walz in April of this year.
Any liquor licensee found to be in violation of EO-99 may be issued a misdemeanor citation for the violation.
A second violation shall result in a 60-day liquor license suspension.
A third or subsequent violation shall result in a five-year revocation of the liquor license and the subsequent revocation of the establishment’s retail identification card (buyer’s card). Minn. Stat. § 340A.415.
