Sheriff's Office asks Augusta commissioners to reconsider Tiffany's Eatery licensing after repeated late-night disturbances; commission orders earlier closing

The Richmond County Sheriff's Office asked the Augusta Commission to revoke or reclassify the business license for Tiffany's Eatery & Lounge at 828 Broad Street after investigators documented repeated late-night disturbances and apparent violations of county alcohol and safety rules.

Sheriff's Office representatives showed a March 30 body-camera video they said depicts about 100 people waiting outside at 2:20 a.m. and an interior arranged “clearly as a nightclub, not as a restaurant.” The sheriff's presentation said deputies documented alcohol served after legal hours, indoor smoking and hookah use, an unlicensed DJ and a created dance floor without a dance-hall license, cover charges, loud music, crowd-control problems and multiple fights. The sheriff's office said those incidents included one in which a sheriff's captain required surgery and a deputy was injured on March 15.

Why it matters: The sheriff's office argued the conduct poses ongoing public-safety risks downtown and asked the commission either to revoke the eatery's restaurant classification so it would close when other downtown businesses do or to revoke its alcohol license.

Owner and agent Alpha Lewis, who told commissioners he has operated the business for five years, said the business has been taking steps such as hiring security and police detail and installing “no smoking” signage after conversations with law enforcement. Lewis said the after-hours food service began recently to increase food revenue and meet licensing requirements; he said he would prefer to remain a restaurant. License-holder Florence Henley and other owners were described in the record as living out of state.

Planning Director Delaney said the license holder signed an acknowledgment on Nov. 12 indicating familiarity with Augusta-Richmond County alcohol rules; the commission previously approved Sunday sales and placed the business on a six-month probation. Investigators told the commission they cited the business multiple times for smoking inside and for serving alcohol past permitted hours.

What the commission did: Commissioners debated whether to decide the license question at today's meeting or wait for a noticed hearing. After discussion, the commission unanimously approved a motion requiring Tiffany's to lock its doors and stop serving alcohol by 2:30 a.m. (and to be vacated by 3 a.m. on non-Saturday days per existing hours) for the next two weeks, with the matter scheduled for a formal hearing at the commission's next noticed review. Commissioner Jordan Johnson moved the motion; Mayor Pro Tempore Wayne Guilfoyle seconded; the vote was unanimous.

What remains unresolved: The sheriff's office requested suspension or revocation; commissioners did not revoke the license at the meeting and set a formal hearing for the matter on the commission's upcoming review cycle. Attorney Plunkett advised that if the licensee declines to waive a formal notice the hearing should be held at the scheduled reviewed date to allow an evidentiary presentation.

The commission's action establishes a short-term operational restriction while the formal administrative process proceeds.