Algonquin restaurant faces suspension of liquor license

Six Algonquin businesses landed in hot water Tuesday night with the village's liquor control commission, amid allegations they illegally sold alcohol to customers who were under 21.

The strictest penalty was handed down to On the Border Restaurant, where representatives pleaded guilty to serving beer to two patrons who were under 21 in an incident police say occurred July 14.

For that, they face a $2,000 fine and a four-day suspension of their liquor license that begins Oct. 24.

It was the eatery's second offense.

"Obviously, I'm disappointed in this," said Commission Member Brian Dianis. "There were two opportunities here. I really would like to know what your corporation's going to do about this."

Jeffrey Yale, the company's managing partner, said the bartender who served the alcohol July 14 was fired on the spot.

Management also has set up training for employees that they must pass with grades of 90 percent or higher, discussed the dangers of serving people who are under 21 and reiterated the importance of complying with the rules, given that alcohol sales compose a large percentage of the business.

"We're going to do all we can to reinforce this," said Yale, who has been with the company for 10 years. "This is very embarrassing for myself and my team."

Meanwhile, Patrick Brankin, an attorney representing Red Star Tavern, filed a continuance and will not enter a plea until Oct. 21.

He said he needed the extension to get witnesses together.

If the client pleads not guilty, the hearing for the matter would occur on Nov. 25.

Police Chief Russ Laine said that on Aug. 2, the eatery faced three complaints in one night - two for serving a pair of patrons who were under 21 and a third for giving a patron too much to drink, "Where they were falling down drunk walking out of the place."

The restaurant had one previous complaint against it for serving liquor to a minor, Laine said.

Meanwhile people representing five other establishments pleaded guilty as charged and agreed to pay fines, court costs and in most cases to institute training for employees.

The following companies face $1,000 fines:

• Butera Market, 1400 E. Algonquin Road.

• Meijer, 400 S. Randall Road.

• Algonquin Mobil Mini-Mart, 609 S. Main Street.

• BP Connect, 1469 S. Randall Road.