Plymouth, MI - The Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) has issued an emergency suspension of the liquor licenses and permits for G.I. Poros, Inc., d/b/a Greek Islands Eatery in Plymouth.
The licensee violated the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) February 4, 2021 Gatherings and Face Mask Order that was in effect at the time the violations occurred, that include:
- allowing non-residential, indoor gatherings without requiring patrons to be seated
- exceeding 25 percent of normal seating capacity
- allowing prohibited intermingling
- failure to require face coverings for staff and patrons
- lack of social distancing
A MDHHS Gatherings and Face Mask Order effective March 5, 2021 increases seating capacity to 50 percent.
On March 2, 2021, an MLCC Commissioner ordered the emergency suspension of the liquor licenses and permits held by G.I. Poros, Inc. d/b/a Greek Islands Eatery located at 306 S. Main St., in Plymouth. Specifically, the Commission issued an emergency suspension of its Class C license and permits for Sunday Sales (A.M. and P.M.), Entertainment, Outdoor Service Area, Direct Connection and Additional Bar permit.
The owner(s) or representative(s) of G.I. Poros, Inc., is/are scheduled to appear before an Administrative Law Judge on March 10, 2021 at 1 p.m. for a virtual hearing via Zoom to determine whether this summary suspension should continue, or other fines and penalties should be imposed.
The February 4, 2021 MDHHS Gatherings and Face Mask Order allowed indoor dining, subject to capacity, curfew, face mask, seating, social distancing and other restrictions. G.I. Poros held gatherings that exceeded the capacity limitations, and it did not enforce seating, masking, and social-distancing requirements and therefore posed an immediate threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Allowing this activity to continue could create additional outbreaks of COVID-19.
Any licensed establishment that is in violation of the MDHHS emergency order risks suspension or revocation of its license. All licensees must comply not only with the MDHHS orders, but also with local health department orders and local ordinances regarding reduced occupancy rates and social distancing protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MLCC Enforcement Division is working diligently to ensure that licensees are compliant with the MDHHS orders and investigates all complaints relative to allegations of violations of the Liquor Control Code, Rules, and Emergency Orders, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic.
The public can report any suspected non-compliance issue at an establishment directly to the MLCC by filing a complaint with the MLCC Enforcement Division online or by calling the division’s hotline, toll-free, at 866-893-2121. MLCC’s website (www.michigan.gov/lcc) provides information on the MDHHS Emergency Orders, indoor service restrictions, face mask requirements, and Frequently Asked Questions for restaurants and bars. Since September 2020, the MLCC has suspended liquor licenses of a total of 41 establishments located throughout the state for violations of the Executive and Emergency Orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To date, there have been more than 593,279 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan, resulting in more than 15,600 deaths. Although vaccination for COVID-19 is underway across the state, the pandemic is not yet at an end, and more challenging months lay ahead.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
It is the mission of the MLCC to make alcoholic beverages available for consumption while protecting the consumer and the general public through the regulation of those involved in the importation, sale, consumption, distribution, and delivery of these alcohol products.