The Chelsea Licensing Commission handed down penalties against two establishments following a public hearing conducted during its October 27 meeting.
Complaints were filed by Chelsea Police against the Acapulco Mexican Restaurant located at 238 Fifth St. and Bar Rancho Las Pupusas at 36 Second St. Each business will have five days from receiving official city notice to file an appeal of the imposed sanctions.
According to testimony from Chelsea Police, the Acapulco Restaurant committed two violations of local licensing ordinances. Officers reported that in one instance, management failed to contact authorities after an employee sustained injuries during an altercation with a coworker. The assaulted employee stated that she was warned against reporting the incident to police, as doing so would harm the business.
A second violation involved police discovering the establishment operating past the required 1 a.m. closing time. Officers noted that the manager present at the time was uncooperative and appeared intoxicated during their inspection. The Commission voted to suspend the restaurant’s Liquor and Entertainment license for seven days based on these findings.
Bar Rancho Las Pupusas received a two-day suspension of its Liquor and Entertainment license for two separate violations.
According to police reports, the bar illegally purchased alcohol in January when an officer witnessed cases of beer being unloaded from a vehicle and brought into the establishment. The second violation involved after-hours operation, with a police report documenting patrons consuming alcohol inside the bar after the mandatory 1 a.m. closing time.
Chief Brian A. Kyes commended the Licensing Commission for its action and cautioned all licensed establishments that they must comply with regulations, warning that violations will not be accepted.