Coronavirus: Area bar owner cited for selling alcohol after 10 p.m. cutoff questions regulation

UPDATED @ 9:55 p.m.: A Clark County bar owner is questioning Ohio’s 10 p.m. cutoff on liquor sales after receiving a citation from the state this weekend.

Laynes Lounge in New Carlisle received a citation after undercover agents with the Ohio Investigative Unit showed up Saturday evening, and reported successfully purchasing beers at 10:45 and 11:15 p.m.

Ohio’s current orders require alcohol sales to end at 10 p.m., with beverages consumed by 11 p.m.

“I think it’s ridiculous,” Donald McKee, Laynes Lounge owner, told News Center 7′s Sean Cudahy on Monday night. “If you’re concerned about the virus, it doesn’t stop at 10 o’clock.”

Gov. Mike DeWine, on July 30, said the rule is aimed at trying to thin out crowds and slow the spread of COVID-19.

McKee, though, argued the rule unfairly targets bars.

“Let’s reconsider what the rule is you have in place at this moment to be a little more fair to the small business guys, especially the bar owner,” he said. “Try and help us earn some money.”

McKee said his business plans to follow state regulations moving forward.

EARLIER REPORT

Two local bars were cited for violating the Ohio Department of Health’s order banning alcohol sales after the 10 p.m. cutoff, according to a media release from the Ohio Investigative Unit.

>>RELATED: Judge rules order banning Ohio alcohol sales after 10 p.m. to remain in effect

Laynes Lounge in New Carlisle and Kings Grill in Lebanon both received citations from the OIU after the alleged violations were observed by OIU agents over the weekend.

>>4 Cleveland area establishments cited for violating orders

Agents were able to purchase alcohol twice Saturday night at Laynes Lounge after the 10 p.m. sales restriction, one at 10:45 p.m. and a second time at 11:15 p.m., OIU investigators announced in a media release.

>> Liquor control passes emergency rule to stop alcohol sales at restaurants and bars at 10 p.m.

Agents reported a similar experience at Kings Grill, reporting they were able to purchase beer around 10:45 p.m.

“The majority of establishments we visit are doing everything they can to provide a safe environment for their patrons,” OIU Enforcement Commander Eric Wolf said in the media release.

“Agents will continue to conduct compliance checks and take enforcement action when egregious violations are observed.”

The order prohibits on-premise alcohol sales after 10 p.m. at Ohio bars and restaurants. All alcohol purchased before the 10 p.m. “last call” must be consumed by 11 p.m. The Ohio Liquor Control Commission approved the directive July 31 and it was signed as an executive order by Gov. Mike DeWine.

The order will be in effect for 120 days from July 31 or until the liquor control commission rescinds the order.

Last week, a Franklin County judge ruled against a group of restaurants and bars that were seeking a temporary restraining order against the state’s directive. Despite the ruling against the restraining order, a lawsuit will continue filed on behalf of the restaurants against the state.

We’ll continue to update this story as we learn more.

Cox Media Group