Planning commission revokes on-sale alcohol permit for AKA Sushi and Sakebomb after repeated underage-sales citations

The Hermosa Beach Planning Commission on Jan. 21 voted 5-0 to revoke the conditional use permit authorizing on-sale beer and wine at Ramen and Sushiya Inc., also known as AKA Sushi and Sakebomb, after repeated violations that included 11 citations issued by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control on Jan. 3 for sales to underage patrons.

City staff said the revocation followed a tri-annual CUP review and a police recommendation after inspections documented failures to comply with conditions imposed in 2023, including improper signage, incomplete employee alcohol-server training and security-camera footage that was not readily playable for investigators.

The vote came after a multi-department staff presentation and testimony from law enforcement. Chief J. LeBaron of the Hermosa Beach Police Department described the case as a continuing threat to public safety, saying, “This is a public safety threat, and this is a danger,” and urging the commission to act because the location had become known locally as a place where persons under 21 could obtain alcohol.

Agent Connolly of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control described the…