The Augusta Commission will consider on July 1 suspending a local business’s liquor license.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s office is recommending that Southbound Smokehouse’s liquor license be suspended following a June 10 police raid that resulted in citations for operating a non-licensed dancing establishment and allowing alcohol sales to minors.
During the raid on the 1855 Central Ave. property, officers found 10 underage people who allegedly had been drinking at the establishment, and one person had a fake ID.
MORE: Southbound Smokehouse Raided Thursday Night
Inside the restaurant, officers noted that tables and chairs had been moved out of the way to create a dance floor, and a DJ was providing entertainment. Officers concluded the restaurant was acting as a dance hall, a function for which it does not have a permit.
Business co-owner Brian Brittingham was incredulous after the raid, stating that the restaurant always has a uniformed police officer on site because it features live music and stays open late.
“The one time the officer didn’t show up — and the man was scheduled that night, he did not call or anything, he just didn’t show up — and suddenly, we got raided,” Brittingham said.
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A letter sent by Augusta-Richmond County Investigator Jose Ortiz to the Augusta Commission outlines the Sheriff’s Office complaints but also backs up Brittingham’s story. The letter states that after several complaints, the sheriff’s office sent in investigators and found:
“At that time an investigation began and Offrcers (sic) learned that southbound (sic) employed someone to check ID as well as had a deputy working special duty at the facility. Inv. Jose Ortiz spoke with the special duty officer and learned they did turn people away for being underage at the door,” the report reads.
Yet, investigators decided to hold a raid anyway.
According to Ortiz’s letter to the Augusta Commission, the business was shut down immediately because investigators found it operating not as a restaurant but as an illegal dance hall.
“Once inside the restaurant, officers learned the business was being run as if it was a bar nightclub instead of a restaurant. The tables and chairs were moved to make a dance floor, the kitchen was closed, there were no seryers (sic) except for the bartenders, and inside the business was standing room only where officers were bumping into people just (sic) go get from one side to the other,” the report states.
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Brittingham has remained adamant that his kitchen is always open, even for just appetizers and snacks late at night and also said that his restaurant has always tried to operate legally, employing a deputy when there are musical acts or DJs that may play late into the night.
However, licensing requirements are clear: one can either run a restaurant or a nightclub but not both. In fact, Augusta-Richmond County code is specific that a license must be obtained to allow dancing in a location, no matter if that location serves food.
MORE: Hearing Set For 10 Minor In Possession Citations At Southbound
Meanwhile, Brittingham says he is not releasing any more information to the media until he has a chance to stand before the commission.
“I can’t comment, man. I just can’t. This is my livelihood, my business. I am still trying to piece this all together. I went to bed feeling comfortable that everything was going great, and I woke up to a nightmare,” Brittingham said.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com.
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