Council grants two‑week continuances in separate liquor-license show‑cause hearings

The Newport City Council extended two separate show‑cause hearings for businesses found to have outstanding licensing conditions.

The Board of License Commissioners continued the Pyramid Club’s hearing until the next council meeting after representatives said they were working to resolve four deficiencies: failure to provide liability insurance, failure to show good standing with the Secretary of State, lack of fire-department clearance and unpaid daily fees. Club representatives asked for a two‑week continuance; the council granted the extension.

Separately, the council continued a show‑cause hearing for Harvest Inc., 7 Carol Avenue, which the city said had not met conditions attached to a victualing license and had not picked up the license. The clerk reported the license holder, Ian Martins, told staff he would come to the clerk’s office to pay late fees and pick up the license but had not done so. Councilors said the city’s police and code staff had observed that the restaurant’s front dining area remained closed and there were indications of catering activity; staff had not confirmed whether a separate catering license existed. Given those outstanding questions, a councilor moved and the council approved a two‑week continuance to allow the licensee to respond and for staff to verify compliance.

Councilors said prior extensions had been granted to other license holders who were actively communicating with the city; several members expressed reluctance to continue extending courtesy without evidence of progress. The council asked staff to report back on whether Harvest Inc. was operating and whether required health and suppression approvals were in place.