Lynn bar finds itself in hot water again

LYNN – Champion’s Sports Bar is under fire again with the Lynn Licensing Board after receiving a reported fourth offense for serving alcohol to a minor.According to a police report, Lynn Police detectives assigned to the Special Investigations Unit visited Champion’s at 170 Broad St. June 28 to conduct a routine liquor license establishment inspection.After seeing several flyers around the city advertising that the bar was under new management, detectives questioned the owner, Li Liang, because they were not aware a transfer of the liquor license had taken place.Liang reportedly told detectives the bar was in fact under new management because of the problems it has had in the past, and because he wanted to create a new image for the establishment.While speaking with Liang, detectives said they noticed a group of four young looking females sitting at the bar and asked them if they had proper identification.While two of the females said they were not drinking alcohol, two others had alcoholic drinks in front of them, but only one was able to produce identification.The other female, a Lynn resident, said she was 21 at first, but was later identified as only 20 years old and was not able to produce any other identification aside from her license.While the doorman adamantly denied letting the minor into the bar, he told detectives an employee wearing a white shirt did.After speaking with Liang and his assistant about the minor and the employee who reportedly let her into the bar, the assistant began to yell and said the employee would be fired right away.Detectives then explained to Liang the bar had to be more careful and that everyone’s identification had to be checked before they are allowed inside.The minor will be summonsed to Lynn District Court for procuring alcohol.Board chairman Richard Coppinger said the bar is scheduled to meet with the licensing board July 22 to explain its side of the story.”I recently went to visit Mr. Liang with Sgt. Rick Carrow, and he promised us that there wouldn’t be any more problems,” he said. “But if they are found to be in violation of the law again at the hearing, the bar could face revocation for their fourth offense, and their license could be in jeopardy.”Aside from Champion’s, Coppinger said Healds Liquors at 12 Commercial St., and B&M Superette at 99 Commercial St., were both cited for sales of alcohol to minors.Both establishments will appear before the board at the next meeting.