State comes down on pair of establishments
Andiamo, Polsky’s Pub & Grub cited for violating orders
The Michigan Liquor Control Commission has suspended liquor licenses from two Macomb County establishments, including Andiamo Italia in Warren, for violating the state’s ban on in-person dining and face mask requirement.
The emergency suspensions take effective immediately and prohibits the restaurants from serving alcohol with their Class C liquor license. A virtual hearing via Zoom is scheduled for Thursday.
Andiamo owners Joe and Rosalie Vicari had urged other restaurant owners across southeast Michigan to join forces earlier this month to resist the state’s ban on in-person dining because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a Zoom meeting with the owners on Dec. 3, they changed course, saying instead of opposing a state-mandated shutdown order, they would try to negotiate another way to open safely.
Joe Vicari on Tuesday said an employee at the restaurant’s attached banquet center made a
mistake by accepting the reservation.
“We’re going to have to take our lumps,” Vicari said.
The day after the Zoom meeting, on Dec. 4, officials with the MLCC investigating complaints about a wedding reception being held at the banquet center found a second one being conducted.
“The tables appeared to be properly spaced, however the guests were not socially distanced at the tables or when mingling around the ballroom,” officials said in the emergency suspension report. “None of the guest were wearing masks.”
The two investigators arrived at the banquet facility at 8:45 p.m. and saw fives cars in the front parking lot and more than 30 vehicles in the rear lot. When they entered the center, they found a reception taking place with “at least” 40 guests seated at tables, mingling around the ballroom and standing at the bar.
A full-service bar, staffed by a male and female who were both wearing masks, was actively in operation.
The initial complaint stated Andiamo allowed indoor service for a wedding reception on Nov. 29 with more than 75 guests in attendance.
Michigan’s dine-in ban started Nov. 18 and has been extended through Dec. 20.
Violations of the ban on indoor gatherings and face mask order are misdemeanors and are punishable by up to six months in jail along with fines. The violations could lead to the revocation of the liquor licenses.
Vicari said the reservation for 55 people had been made prior to the ban on in-person dining when the center was allowed to operate at a reduced capacity. The previous order limited attendance to 20 people per 1,000 square feet with a maximum of 500.
“Then we got our license suspension,” he said.
It’s the second LCC suspension issued for a Macomb County facility during the pandemic.
Polsky’s Pub & Grub, 38730 Harper Ave. in Clinton Township, was investigated Dec. 4 for allowing customers to come inside contrary to the Nov. 15 ban and face mask order.
According to the report, 10 cars were observed in the parking lot when the investigators arrived. At the door, they were asked if they were there for a carryout order, and the two replied that they wanted to have a beer at the bar but were told it was only open for take-out service.
When they were finally allowed inside, the investigators say they saw 15 patrons sitting at the bar drinking alcohol and four others seated and drinking at a table.
“The patrons and staff were not wearing masks inside the establishment, and patrons were not being required to socially distance inside the establishment,” the MLCC investigators said in their report.
According to the report, a man who identified himself as the owner approached them after they sat down at the bar and said: “We really aren’t supposed to be open, but I have a family to feed.”
Once they left, one investigator called the establishment and were told the only occupants inside were employees and Door-Dash drivers picking up carryout orders. The employee was informed the MLCC investigators had just left the bar and a violation notice would be drawn up.
Twenty- one establishments have had their licenses suspended since September for violating the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services orders.
The latest alleged violators include:
• Spanky’s Tavern, Battle Creek
• Kal-Ho Bar, Kalkaska
• Dex’s Loggers Landing, Luther
• Charlie’s Bar and Grill, Potterville
• Plaza Lanes, Plymouth Township
• Hatorando Sushi and Sports Bar, Hartland
At previous hearings, restaurants have received fines and all but one had their liquor licenses suspended for at least another 45 days.
Complaints from the public about any facility with a liquor license that may be violating the MDHHS orders can be phoned into the Michigan Liquor Control Complaint Hotline at 866893-2121