(WWJ) A metro Detroit business whose owner was an outspoken critic of Michigan's indoor dinning ban has lost its liquor license for allegedly ignoring it.
State officials say L.V Management, Inc., doing businesses as Andiamo Italia in Warren, is one of the eight more businesses across Michigan to have its liquor license suspended for "multiple violations" of the current Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Emergency Order. Violations cited 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.
In the case of Andiamo, on 14 Mile Rd. in Warren, state investigates say they received complaint about an indoor wedding party that took place on November 29, with over 75 guests in attendance.
The night of December 4, investigators went to the venue and found more than 35 cars in the parking lot. Inside, it's alleged they found another wedding reception was taking place with a seating chart that listed 62 guests with table assignments. In the ballroom, around 40 guests were seen seated at tables, mingling around the room and standing at the bar.
While the 10 table appeared to be properly spaced, guests were not socially distanced at the tables or when mingling around the ballroom -- and none of them were wearing masks, according to the investigators' report. There were also plates of food on the tables, officials said. Read more details from the report here.
WWJ's Sandra McNeill actually broke the news to Adiamo CEO Joe Vicari, who hadn't heard about the suspension yet.
After last month calling on restauranteurs in Michigan to defy shutdown orders, Vicari had later backtracked, telling WWJ he would obey MDHHS orders.
He declined to comment on these developments Tuesday.
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Along with Andiamo, the latest businesses to have their liquor licenses and permits suspended by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission on an emergency basis are as follows:
- Polski’s Pub & Grub, Inc. d/b/a Polski’s Pub & Grub located at 38730 Harper Ave. in Clinton Twp. Read details from the state's report here.
- Spanky’s, Inc. d/b/a Spanky’s Tavern located at 1414 Michigan Ave. West in Battle Creek.
- Razorback, LLC d/b/a Kal-Ho Bar located at 340 S. Cedar St. in Kalkaska.
- Dex’s Ventures Inc. d/b/a Dex’s Loggers Landing located at 206 State St. in Luther.
- Devine Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Charlie’s Bar & Grill located at 116 E. Lansing Rd US 27 in Potterville.
- JHM Lanes, Inc. d/b/a Plaza Lanes located at 42001 Ann Arbor Rd East in Plymouth Township.
- Two Guys Sushi, LLC d/b/a Hatorando Sushi and Sports Bar located at 10586 Highland Rd. in Hartland.
MLCC said all of these businesses will have virtual hearings to determine whether the summary suspension should continue, or other fines and penalties should be imposed.
This comes after the MDHHS ban on indoor dining, with the goal of slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan, is set to expire on Dec. 20.
At a news conference Tuesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said "it's working."
Whitmer said she knows businesses and workers are struggling, and called on the state Legislature to come through with a stimulus package to help get them through.
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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. Not sure what the rules are? MLCC’s website provides information on the MDHHS order, indoor service restrictions, face mask requirements and FAQ for restaurants and bars.
To date, MDHHS says there have been 442,715 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan, resulting in 10,935 deaths. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.