COVID violations see liquor licence suspended

Restaurant in Leamington

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has suspended the liquor licence of the Family Kitchen restaurant in Leamington.

A media release from the commission described it as an “interim suspension” given “for reasons of public interest and safety. The interim suspension takes effect immediately.”

The Erie Street South restaurant was the scene of a peaceful anti-lockdown protest April 6 with people lining the street in support of restaurant owner Kirsty Leathem's decision to continue in-person dining service against provincial guidance.

Saturday's media release also stated the AGCO will start the process to revoke the establishment's liquor licence for infractions of the liquor licence act and that “the registrar has reasonable grounds to believe that the licence holder will not carry on business in accordance with the law and with integrity and honesty.”

The media release said the commission was advised that on March 6, Ontario Provincial Police found the establishment operating in contravention of the Reopening Ontario Act. The licensee was charged with breaching an order made under the Emergency Management and Public Protection Act (EMCPA) and continued under the Reopening Ontario Act.

On April 8, the Ontario government declared an emergency and a provincewide stay-athome order was declared.

“The licence holder has since repeatedly contravened the orders made under the EMCPA,” the release said.

On April 9 and again on April 15, an AGCO compliance official attended the licensed premises and patrons were observed dining within the licensed establishment. The licence holder has confirmed to the AGCO that they remained open for dine-in. On April 14, the licensee was again charged with failing to comply with a continued emergency order, on this occasion by Leamington bylaw officials.

An establishment served with an interim suspension has the right to appeal the action.

Attempts to reach Leathem for comment were unsuccessful.