Largo eatery fined $2,000 for license violations

Thursday, Sept. 15, 2005

A restaurateur in Largo has been fined $2,000 for violating his liquor license by holding paid, live events on the premises.

The Board of License Commissioners ordered Red Star Tavern owner Roger Greenfield to pay the fine on Sept. 7.

Greenfield, whose restaurant is located in the Boulevard at the Capital Centre in Largo, was cited on June 29 after the liquor board learned that the restaurant was holding private parties with live entertainment.

Red Star General Manager Jason Harris said he was unaware that the live entertainment staged was in violation of the company’s license.

“Our intention was to bring an upgrade of entertainment to this environment and to provide an element that you wouldn’t normally get at a restaurant,“ he said.

When the matter came up for hearing on Aug. 10, county Liquor Inspector Arthur Turner Jr. described the scene he encountered at the restaurant when he served the violation notice.

“There was a $25 cover charge and people were frisked before entering Red Star. There was also a live band playing,“ Turner said.

“I summoned the manager and advised him that he didn’t have permission to have that kind of entertainment. I expressed to him that he was outside the legal mode of operations with his liquor license.“

After the liquor board’s violation notice was issued, Red Star also received a letter for breach of contract from their landlord, Inland US Management LLC, which manages the Boulevard at the Capital Centre.

“It was brought to our attention that on selected Wednesday nights there has been live music, dancing and a cover charge for guests patronizing the Red Star Tavern,“ wrote Property Manager Juanique L. Harris. “The lease prohibits the use of operating as a nightclub or discotheque. We will not support this type of activity as it is not the type of event or image we want displayed at the center.“

Jason Harris said the fine was reasonable, and he is eager to rectify the situation.

“The $2,000 was a nice slap on the wrist, but we are not going to appeal it,“ he said. “We humbly accept the responsibility and we are also proud to say that we are going to become more efficient and more in line with all of the county liquor laws.“

Jason Harris and his staff will all be attending TAM (Techniques of Alcohol Management) certification classes to become certified in the state of Maryland, he said. He is already certified in the District.

“We are totally dedicated to acting in accordance with all of the Prince George’s County laws. We will do more homework if we ever decide to have live entertainment again,“ he said. “Red Star is a family restaurant and we want to be known as such.“

E-mail Brooke N. Garner at bgarner@gazette.net.