Business & Tech

Moose Country Pays Fine; Lilydale Tweaks Bar Close

A grace period for bar patrons to get out the door is in the works.

A at in 2010 has resulted in a $1,000 fine for the business and the promise of a change to Lilydale's liquor ordinances.

When police arrived at 2:16 a.m. Dec. 25, 2010 to respond to a number of fights, they found patrons with drinks still on the tables and paying out at the bar. 

According to Lilydale's ordinances, alcohol must not be on display after 2 a.m., meaning drinks must be cleared. 

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

The city charged owner Joe Schaefer with a misdemeanor the following February alleging a violation of Moose Country's liquor license, and thus the city's ordinances. Schaefer .

Talk of a settlement developed later in 2011.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Schaefer's lawyer that the ordinance requiring liquor to not be on display after 2 a.m. is confusing and inconsistent with the ordinances of neighboring cities, who usually allow a grace period for customers to finish their drinks and leave after 2 a.m. That includes St. Paul, where Schaefer owns and operates the Wild Onion.

Lehmann told the Lilydale City Council this month that new language to allow a grace period until 2:10 a.m. is in the works. 

Police Chief Mike Aschenbrener has said that while Moose Country might raise eyebrows in the city of Lilydale, the level of police activity it draws is not high enough to warrant any particular concern.

"I think we can tolerate the mischief considering he (Schaefer) is otherwise a good corporate citizen," said council member Bob Bullard.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Mendota Heights