AGCO suspends liquor license at Family Kitchen Restaurant

LEAMINGTON -- The Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued an Order of Interim Suspension of the liquor licence of Family Kitchen, located at 73 Erie Street South, Leamington.

The interim suspension takes effect immediately. The Registrar has also issued a Notice of Proposal (NOP) to revoke the establishment’s liquor licence for infractions of the Liquor Licence Act (LLA).

“The Registrar has reasonable grounds to believe that the licence holder will not carry on business in accordance with the law and with integrity and honesty,” said a recent notice sent out by AGCO.

AGCO was advised that on March 6, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) found the establishment to be operating in contravention of the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA).

The licensee was charged with breaching an order made under the Emergency Management and Public Protection Act (EMCPA) and continued under the ROA.

On April 8, a Declaration of Emergency and a Province-wide Stay-at-Home Order was made under the EMCPA. According to AGCO, Family Kitchen has since repeatedly contravened the orders made under the EMCPA.

On April 9 and again on April 15, an AGCO Compliance Official attended the restaurant and patrons were observed dining within the establishment.

On April 14, the licensee was again charged with Failing to Comply with a continued Emergency Order, on this occasion by Municipality of Leamington Bylaw officials.

“Those who hold a licence to sell alcohol are responsible for meeting their obligations under the LLA, and to act with honesty and integrity,” said the release.

An establishment served with an interim suspension or a NOP has the right to appeal the Registrar’s action to the Licence Appeal Tribunal, which is an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.