Hearing set for objections to liquor licenses

By Grace Lovins

Two Birmingham businesses are set to come before the city commission for review to see if commissioners will object to their liquor license renewals.

The commission voted to set the public hearings during the Monday, February 9, meeting.

Of the city’s 40 plus establishments with liquor licenses, two were recommended for a public hearing during which the commission will consider whether to file an objection to the restaurants' applications to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. 220 Merrill and Sidecar/Slice/Shift, both located in the city’s downtown, were flagged for having multiple police contacts, and 220 Merril also had a $77,000 outstanding treasury violation.

Social Kitchen was originally on the list of businesses recommended for a public hearing, but city clerk Alexandria Bingham confirmed that the business paid up on everything and was moved to the approval list.

Birmingham police captain Greg Wald told commissioners that 220 Merrill and Sidecar/Slice/Shift were recommended for a hearing due to their staff being uncooperative when it came to incidents requiring a police presence. Over the last year, 220 Merrill has had six incidents requiring police and Sidecar/Slice/Shift has had three.

Ward explained that staff for both establishments have given the department’s investigators “the runaround” while conducting investigations. He noted that while some establishments not being recommended for a public hearing had more incidents requiring police response, staff at those businesses has been cooperative and willing to implement recommendations given by police.

During commission discussion, commissioners Andrew Haig and Brad Host both noted that 220 Merrill has had recurring issues, Haig calling the business a “frequent flyer” as their liquor license application was subject to a public hearing last year as well.

Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve the liquor license applications for all city businesses aside from 220 Merrill and Sidecar/Slice/Shift, which will each be the subject of a public hearing at a future meeting.