Two bars were closed down in Union City last week, including one that was accused of having a video camera in the women’s bathroom, when the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board met on August 9.
A marathon meeting that lasted nearly eight hours resulted in the revocation of two licenses, that of Club Monty at 514 Bergenline Ave. and Studio 45 at 4528 Bergenline Ave.
As part of the city’s efforts to raise the quality of life in Union City, Union City Mayor Brian Stack has taken a hard stance against the city’s bars and other liquor serving establishments.
“I want the owners and managers of Union City’s liquor establishments to know that we are not trying to put them out of business,” said Stack.. “But we want them to operate their establishments in accordance with the law and in accordance with the standards of the quality of life of this community.”
Since Stack has been in office, he said that about five bars have had their licenses revoked and more than two dozen suspensions have been handed out.
Let’s go to the video tape
Studio 45 was cited for having cameras in the ladies’ bathroom, hindering a police investigation; various paper violations; sale of alcohol after hours; fighting on the premises; serving an intoxicated juvenile, and other offenses resulting in a suspension of 230 days. The board also voted to revoke the license.
The bar’s owner claimed that he didn’t know that the video camera was in there, but officials didn’t buy it.
“The most private place that you can go is in the bathroom,” said Stack. Stack said that during the trial, a one hour and 45 minute videotape from the bathroom was shown.
Club Monty’s charges included having narcotics on the premises, interfering with a police investigation and a fight on the premises. They were given a 190-day suspension and the board also voted to revoke their license.
Club Monty had also received a 15-day suspension in 1999, according to records kept in City Hall, for having drugs on the premises, an act of violence, and hindering a police investigation among other charges.
According to Stack, the suspension is served before the license is revoked.
The owners of the revoked licenses do have the option of appealing the revocation to the state ABC board. Stack said that the owners can also appeal the suspensions given to them.
In most cases, the license owner is automatically granted a stay when he appeals an ABC ruling. This means that the bar will be able to remain open while the state reviews the case. This review process can take anywhere from nine months to over one year.
“If any judge allows Studio 45 to remain open, then there is something wrong,” said Stack. “We need the support of the state in these rulings. If we do not have the support of the state, then that doesn’t give us much teeth.”
According to records kept with the city’s License Inspector, Leonard Lucente, Studio 45 had their license revoked for a number of charges occurring between August and November 1999. These charges include serving alcohol to a minor and to an intoxicated person as well as having someone on the premises that wasn’t able to be on the premises by state court order.
The ruling was appealed by the owner and the owner was given a stay.
Suspensions of other licenses
During the ABC hearings, the board also handed out suspensions on six other cases, according to the city:
The Candy Club, at 915 Bergenline Ave., was given a 23-day suspension for charges of fighting on the premises and several paper violations.
Las Estrellas de Mexico, at 114-116 48th St., was given a five-day suspension for a charge of fighting on premises.
La Roca Bar located at 2115 West St. was given a three-day suspension for a disturbance at the premises.
Honka Monka, located at 4806 Bergenline Ave. was given a 23-day suspension for charges of having a minor on premises, sale to an intoxicated person, sale to a minor and paper violations.
Pueblito Viejo, located at 328 32nd St., was given a three-day suspension for charges of having a disturbance at their premises.
El Paraiso at 4519 Bergenline Ave. was given a 10-day suspension for having a disturbance on the premises that resulted in calling for security.