Andiamo a Warren receives a liquor license, allows suspension in violation of Michigan COVID-19 restriction at indoor meetings

WARREN, Mich. – The Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) issued an emergency suspension of the license and liquor permits for Andiamo’s Wiamo Restaurant on East 14 Mile Road, in violation of Michigan’s current COVID-19 restrictions.

According to the MLCC on Tuesday, the suspension was issued Dec. 10 by LV Management Inc. d / b / a Let’s go to Italy.

The MLCC suspended Licensee’s Class C liquor license and permits for Sunday sales, dance entertainment, additional bar and catering service, in violation of allowing indoor meetings and allowing people to gather without having to wear facial masks.

The suspension does not affect other Andiamo locations.

Seven other companies were also suspended in an emergency last week. Since September, a total of 21 establishments across Michigan have suspended liquor licenses.

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According to the suspension report, on Dec. 4, the MLCC enforcement division investigated a complaint that the licensee allowed the indoor meeting. According to investigators, the complaint involved a wedding party that took place on November 29 with more than 75 guests.

The report indicated that researchers went to the site on Dec. 4 to investigate and noticed a seat graph showing 62 guests with tablework. The report stated that while the tables were properly spaced, “guests were not socially distanced at the tables even when mingling around the ballroom. None of the guests wore masks.”

In addition, there were about 40 people in the ballroom.

In November, Joe Vicari, owner of the Andiamo restaurant chain along with co-owner Rosalie Vicari, wrote a letter to Michigan restaurants urging them to challenge Governor Gretchen Whitmer and COVID-19 stop orders from the department. state health and that they reopen.

At the time, Michigan was under a “three-week break,” effective November 18 to December 8. There was talk about whether Whitmer would extend the break. Finally, the break was extended for an additional 12 days until December 20th.

“We need to combine and fight this closure,” Vicari wrote. “Our industry cannot survive another long-term closure. We are stronger if we stay together and use our fighting force.

Since then, Joe Vicari has stepped back and clarified his intentions after writing the letter to other restaurateurs for the first time, saying he never wanted to defy mandatory orders and that his top priority is to protect health. and the safety of all in the midst of the pandemic.

“It has been a devastating experience for all of us. The safety of our community is our top priority, as we have all been affected and we are all fighting this pandemic, some more deeply than others. Our intent with our letter to Detroit restaurateurs was to meet to hold an open conversation about how we can preserve restaurants in the Detroit Metro area while maintaining the livelihoods of our employees and maintaining the health and safety of our employees. community, “read a statement released Dec. 4.

“We will never and will never challenge the mandatory orders. Our goal is to find out what will be next. How can we find a solution that not only benefits the economy of our big cities, but protects all Metro residents, including our employees who are also family members? “

A hearing following the Andiamo a Warren suspension is scheduled for Dec. 18 to determine whether the suspension should be maintained or whether other fines and sanctions should be imposed.