Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Alcohol Licensing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County approves Red Rock Bar & Grill renewal; Chasers flagged after failed compliance check
Summary
After a required public hearing, the Minnehaha County Commission renewed Red Rock Bar & Grill’s 2026 retail on-sale liquor license despite a May compliance-check failure; county staff also reported three failed checks countywide and said Chasers Food and Spirits will face a public hearing and state penalties.
Minnehaha County commissioners on Nov. 4 approved a 2026 retail on-sale liquor license renewal for Red Rock Bar & Grill following a public hearing prompted by a failed compliance check earlier this year.
Kim Christianson of the auditor’s office told the commission an Oct. 4 notice scheduled the public hearing because the sheriff’s office reported a May 8 compliance check in which an employee sold alcohol to an undercover informant under 21, a violation of South Dakota Codified Law 35-9-1.1. Christianson said this was Red Rock’s first violation and that the establishment passed a subsequent compliance check.
“An employee at the establishment did sell serve alcohol to an informant under 21, breaking South Dakota Codified Law 35-9-1.1,” Christianson said.
Commissioners said they were encouraged by the subsequent passing check and by training steps reportedly taken by the applicant. After discussion, the board moved, seconded and approved the renewal on roll call.
Christianson also briefed the commission on countywide results from sheriff-conducted compliance checks on Oct. 28. Of 62 checks countywide, 13 county-licensed establishments passed and three failed. One failing business licensed by Minnehaha County, MGC Holdings doing business as Chasers Food and Spirits, has prior violations in 2017 and 2024 and will require a public hearing when it submits its renewal application later this month. Christianson said the state Department of Revenue will assess penalties ranging from $500 to $2,000 depending on violations and staff certification; repeated violations within a 24-month window can trigger state action on a license.
The commission later approved a separate motion to authorize chair signature on routine 2026 liquor and wine renewal applications for county-licensed establishments that passed checks; renewal fees range from $500 to $1,500 depending on license type.
The commission did not take additional disciplinary action against Red Rock at the Nov. 4 meeting.
