City Council Meeting Date: January 21, 2020
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Deb Little, City Clerk
Monte Nelson, Chief of Police
Title
Consider Approval of Liquor Licenses for Lagom Cafe LLC dba The Ole Store Restaurant, LLC at 1011 St. Olaf Ave.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is being asked to consider approval of On-sale Intoxicating and Sunday Liquor Licenses for Lagom Cafe LLC dba Ole Store Restaurant located at 1011 St. Olaf Ave., Northfield subject to:
• Department of Public Safety Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement Approval
• Submittal of all Final Documents
• Final inspection of premises
Summary Report:
Lagom Cafe LLC, dba Ole Store Restaurant, has applied for On-sale Intoxicating and Sunday Liquor Licenses for 1011 St. Olaf Ave, Northfield. A new owner is purchasing the business. Liquor licenses are not transferrable. The application for liquor license has been checked for compliance, which covers the provisions of Minnesota State law and City Code. Staff will meet with the licensee and conduct a walk-through of their facility prior to license issuance. A public hearing is not required per City Code for this new license as the premises is a currently licensed business. Staff recommends approval of the licenses with the conditions as noted.
Since this is an existing licensed establishment, the issuance of this license will not increase the total number of liquor licenses. Upon approval and issuance of this license, there will be a total of 37 liquor licenses issued in the City of Northfield in the following categories:
• 1 - Club license
• 19 - On-Sale Intoxicating licenses
• 9 - On-Sale Wine/3.2 licenses
• 5 - Off-Sale 3.2 licenses
• 1 - Cocktail Room license
• 2 - Taproom licenses
Periodically questions are raised regarding statutory restrictions on the number of on-sale intoxicating liquor licenses that may be issued in Northfield. Currently Northfield has 16 on-sale intoxicating liquor license holders. Northfield is a city of the second class and therefore may issue not more than 18 on-sale intoxicating liquor licenses, subject to very broad exclusions. The applicable statute is 340A.413, Subd. 1 (3). However, 340A.413, Subd. 4, excludes the following from the restrictions stated in Subd. 1:
• clubs
• restaurants
• establishments that are licensed to sell wine under section 340A.404, Subd. 5
• theaters that are issued licenses under section 340A.404
• hotels, and
• bowling centers
The existing on-sale intoxicating liquor licenses in Northfield all fall into those categories that are noted above. Therefore, they are excluded from the restriction.
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
The City received a prorated amount of $1,060.00 for the licenses.
Tentative Timelines:
If approved, certification will be sent to the Department of Public Safety Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement Division for review and approval. Licenses will be issued upon applicant meeting all conditions.