Council suspends Dells Bar license for 10 days, council delays start to Sept. 28

The La Crosse City Council approved a 10-day suspension of Moonshine on Vine LLC's combination Class B beer and liquor license and amended the start date to Sept. 28 to reduce hardship for employees.

Tammy Bloor, who identified herself as a La Crosse resident and representative for Moonshine on Vine LLC, told the council the suspension would be "very challenging and tough on our staff" and asked for the same delayed start date granted to another establishment. "Our whole company will obviously feel the weight of this decision," she said, urging the council to consider ways to hold bartenders accountable as well as owners. (Tammy Bloor)

Assistant city attorney Gideon Wertheimer told the council the complainant sought consecutive days and that the council had discretion about specific dates. Councilmember Bedford moved to amend the suspension to begin Sept. 28; the amendment passed 8–5 and the council approved the suspension as amended.

Council discussion again weighed enforcement of underage-drinking laws and the consequences for employees; some members cited concerns about precedent and equal treatment while others cited the need to balance enforcement with economic impacts on staff.

Next steps: The suspension will take effect Sept. 28 for 10 consecutive days.