The city suspended four liquor businesses for various violations ahead of the Fourth of July on Wednesday.
Some of the bars and liquor stores opposed closing down during the Fourth of July. Each had to accept an extra day to postpone their suspension periods to the week after Independence Day.
Moya Bar and Liquors
The city’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board wanted to suspend Moya Bar and Liquors located 428 East 18th Street for three days covering the Fourth of July for selling hard liquor after 10 p.m. on three occasions on Jan. 30, 2018.
Attorney Theresa Richardson opposed closing down the business through the Fourth of July. She suggested suspension kick-in the week after the holiday.
“They need the business to stay afloat,” she told the three-person board.
“Four days in exchange for that holiday weekend,” suggested commissioner Octavio Aguilar.
Richardson put on a batty show over the extra day of suspension. She needed time to discuss the extra day with her client Xiomara Moya, owner of the business, she told the board. She then sought an adjournment which the board’s attorneys refused.
Richardson then sought a full hearing. She and her client eventually accepted the four-day suspension.
The four-day suspension for Moya Bar and Liquors, owned by Moya E. Inc, starts on Jul. 9, 2018.
Beso Lounge
Beso Lounge, located at 21 West Broadway, was issued a three-day suspension for indoor hookah smoking. Police cited the bar for the violation on Mar. 1, 2018.
Suspension starts on Jul. 2, 2018.
“I hope we don’t see you down here again,” said commissioner James Briggs to the owner and his attorney.
The bar is operated by Beso Cuba LLC.
Los Cristales Bar
The board issued a seven-day suspension to Los Cristales Bar located at 409 21st Avenue. The bar was cited for selling hard liquor outside the legal hours on Jan. 22, 2018, according to city records.
Liquor establishments are prohibited from selling hard liquor before 9 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
The next day, the business again committed the same violation. Police recovered a machete at the business during their visit on Jan. 23.
Paul Fernandez, attorney for the business, suggested the business used the machete to cut down tall weeds in the rear yard.
On May 31, 2018, the bar was cited for selling to an underage patron. It also failed to disclose it had an ATM at the business on its liquor license application, according to city records.
The violations were first offenses, said officials, explaining the lenient seven-day suspension.
The board wanted to suspend the business for six days through the Fourth of July. Fernandez wanted the suspension to kick-in the week after the holiday. The board upped the suspension by a day and granted Fernandez’s request.
Seven-day suspension for Los Cristales Bar, owned by D. Franco and Investments LLC, starts on Monday, Jul. 9, 2018.
AJ Discount Liquors
The board issued a four-day suspension to AJ Discount Liquors located at 253 Park Avenue for selling hard liquor after 10 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2017.
Four-day suspension for AJ Discount Liquors starts on Jul. 9, 2018.
River Terrace Sports Bar
The board let the River Terrace bar, located at 36 Totowa Avenue, off with a warning. Police confiscated cocaine and an orange sandwich size bag used to package cocaine at the bar on May 4, 2018. The drugs were seized inside a vehicle on the parking lot of the bar, according to officials.
The charge was dismissed by the board.
“I try my best. I’m there all the time,” the bar’s owner, who would not provide his name, told the board. He said the business has been in his family for 43 years.
The owner of the bar, owned by Totowa Avenue Tavern Inc., appeared before the board with his attorney Patrick C. DeMarco.
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This report was updated at 7 p.m.