Marblehead restaurant Sticky Rice given ultimatum over inspections

MARBLEHEAD-The restaurant called Sticky Rice got a break Wednesday night when owner Amorn Phongtong appeared before the selectmen and Town Counsel Jeffrey Shribman for a hearing on the revocation of his liquor license.The Hawkes Street location closed Oct. 22. Phongtong planned to reopen at at Village Plaza but the Hawkes Street site failed a Nov. 7 health inspection and Phongtong was told to take care of the violations.Health Inspector Bobby Cody said she found food in the freezer, open food containers, appliances that didn?t work, holes in the walls and an overall need for “a thorough cleaning.” She sent selectmen a letter last week informing them that the violations had been taken care of.However, board Chairman Jackie Belf-Becker noted, the restaurant is still closed and when restaurants close the selectmen usually take their licenses back.Phongtong said he has been trying to sell his old business with the liquor license, which makes it more saleable.?Business is tough,” he said. “I?m trying to downsize to a takeout (operation), so I can survive.”He asked selectmen if he could keep the liquor license for two more months while he tried to sell the restaurant. “If nobody makes an offer in that time I will reopen,” he said.He estimated that it would take him a month to reopen at Hawkes Street.Selectmen continued the revocation hearing until March 11 and instructed Phongtong to return with a purchaser or a plan to reopen.