The Douglas County Health Department has closed 11 bars and restaurants for operating without a permit. Invoices were sent on November 9th to all food and drink establishments and payment was due in 30 days.
The 2016 permits expired on Dec. 31 and a letter and invoice was sent January 13th notifying establishments that their permits had expired and that they now also had to pay a late fee of $100.
Health Director Dr. Adi Pour says the department does not want to close the businesses, but "they know the law and have brought the problem on themselves." This is part of doing business. The operators know they must have a permit and it must be renewed every year by December. 31st.”
Operating without a permit is a misdemeanor and violators are subject to a fine and jail time, or both, for each offense. Each day of operating without a permit is considered a separate offense.
“Our enforcement efforts began with a business that was late for the seventh year,” Dr. Pour says. “We prioritized the closings starting with the establishments that have made a habit of being late renewing their permits.”
About 95 percent of local food and drink establishments have paid their permits, but leaves about $36,000 to be collected. That figure includes 60 permits to be paid, including late fees, and late fees from 16 establishments that have paid their permits but omitted their late fees.
The eleven businesses closed are as follows:
- Buffalo Company
- Darby's Tavern
- Deuce's Lounge Bar & Grill
- Fuzzy's New
- JD's Circle Inn
- Joby C's
- Joe Bananas
- Mai Tai Restaurant
- Oasis Hooka Bar-Has since closed
- Sam's Gyros
- The Elbow Room