RED WING — The Applebees in Red Wing has been fined $1,500 and had its liquor license suspended for 10 days after failing its third alcohol compliance check since 2004.
The Red Wing City Council approved the suspension by a 5-1 vote on Monday. That Applebees site, located just off U.S. Highway 61 near Target, had prior violations in 2004 and 2012.
The Red Wing Police Department set up the underage purchase on Nov. 18, 2014, by sending in two minors to purchase beer. They were both served without being carded.
Applebees paid a $750 fine at that time, but requested a contested hearing prior to accepting the additional penalties required by the city code. An Applebees official requested leniency during Monday's meeting, noting that the employee in question had been terminated and that extraordinary steps had been taken to ensure it doesn't happen again.
Council member Lisa Bayley supported a reduced penalty, but Council President Dean Hove argued that the restaurant's third violation in 10 years required a stiff sentence.
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"We realize that there's going to be an impact, but in the same respect (we don't) want to set a precedent for changing (the rules)," Hove said.
The Applebees official estimated that alcohol accounts for 20 percent of its sales, and requested to pay a higher fine or do community service. Those options were rejected by the council
