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Council approves Champions Sports Bar liquor license despite earlier unlawful sales, staff to monitor compliance
Summary
After staff reported social‑media evidence and a police compliance check that alcohol was sold before a license was issued, City Council approved an on‑sale liquor license with Sunday sales for Champions Sports Bar and Grill without additional conditions; staff referred the unlawful‑sales incident for prosecutorial review and said it will monitor compliance.
Forest Lake City Council approved an on‑sale intoxicating liquor license with Sunday sales for Champions Sports Bar and Grill, a new operator at the former Norman Quax location, after hearing staff findings that alcohol sales had occurred before the license was issued.
Jolene, the staff member who presented the item, said she observed social‑media posts advertising drink specials on April 18 and had requested a police compliance check; Forest Lake Police confirmed officers contacted the establishment and informed the owner they were out of compliance, and staff later observed continued sales. "The matter of the illegal alcohol sales has been referred for prosecutorial review as we’re required to do," Jolene told the council, noting a potential gross‑misdemeanor charge.
Applicants Randy and Sarah Aderman addressed the council and acknowledged operational problems during the transition of ownership. Randy said the prior owners had agreed to provide hands‑on transition help but left early and the new operators faced POS and communications failures; he said he stopped alcohol service after the officer advised him and posted signage and locked liquor in the back room. "Looking back on it, we recognized that this may not have been the best decision at all, but at the time, we were just trying to keep the business afloat," Randy said.
Council members debated whether to deny the license, impose a 30‑day conditional compliance period (staff recommendation), or grant the license without conditions. Several members emphasized enforcement options and said the city’s police department and staff would increase compliance checks. A motion to approve the license without additional conditions passed; at least one council member recorded opposition during the voice vote. The transcript shows the unlawful‑sales incident has been referred to prosecutors; council action did not resolve criminal or prosecutorial outcomes.
What happens next: staff said it will continue compliance checks between now and the final licensing steps at the state level and the prosecutorial review remains a separate process.
