LYNN – Eastern Market, 121 Eastern Ave., was issued a seven-day liquor license suspension Tuesday by the Lynn Licensing Board for selling alcohol to a minor.
The suspension will take effect Sept. 8 unless an appeal is made.
Troubled hotspot Sori?s, 48 Market St., and American Legion Post No. 6, 157 N. Common St., also came under fire and were both given warnings for various charges and were advised that a three-day suspension would be imposed if another violation occurs in one year.
Muhammad Abdur Razzak, owner of Eastern Market said the cashier on duty the night of the illegal sale asked for proper identification, but Lynn Police officer Ross Panacopoulos, who was on patrol that evening, told a different story.
?He (the cashier) said the kid had shown identification in the past, so my impression is that he didn?t get asked for identification then because he didn?t actually have a license on him when he was searched,” he said. “He also told me that he had a really good Massachusetts identification.”
Board chairman Richard Coppinger said two incidents of selling alcohol to a minor are now on the books with Razzak as the owner of the market.
?We just don?t know how many other times he could have purchased alcohol there before,” he said.
The American Legion came under fire with the board for an incident that happened in June during a birthday party gone awry.
According to James Cahill, manager at the post, a hall was rented out for a woman?s 50th birthday party, complete with a security guard, when three men arrived at the party, belligerent and out of control.
?They tried to get into the party, but the guard said no and that?s when mayhem started and they pulled out a gun,” he said. “They took off running, but police arrested two of the men and were looking for a third when we shut down the bar and evacuated the building.”
Coppinger said the board has repeatedly looked the other way and given the post several chances despite incidents, but that the post needs to make a change or they could face losing their license.
?If it were not a veterans? hall, we would have suspended the license,” he said. “You?ve got to find a way to control the problems.”
Francisco Soriano, owner of Sori?s appeared before the board as a continuation from last month?s meeting that he said he didn?t get proper notification for.
Under-21 events, illegal posters on poles, and a previous liquor violation in June were all called into question by the board.
With the help of a translator, Soriano admitted to making a mistake with not controlling promoters from posting advertisements around the city because of family problems, he claimed he doesn?t make money from the endeavor.
?I only sell water, Red Bull, soda and juice, no alcohol during the under-21 events,” he said. “The promoter charges $5 at the door and the entertainment is paid for by the sponsor.”
Coppinger shook his head in disbelief and said he couldn?t understand why Soriano held the event if he wasn?t making money from it, and gave a strong warning to him to cease and desist any promotion or advertising for the club and holding under-21 events.