Selectmen Suspend Restaurant's Liquor License One Day

Two Budweisers that anbartender served two underage operatives on Dec. 20, cost the Vinnin Square restaurant its liquor license for one day — Jan. 24.

The operatives, 19 and 20 years old, were carrying out an alcohol compliance check by Swampscott police and the Massachusetts Alcohol Beverage Control Commission, Swampscott police Det. Ted Delano told selectmen on Wednesday.

The young people entered the restaurant in collared shirts and jeans and ordered two Buds.

The bartender did not ask for identification and put their beers on the bar. The operatives took their bill and got up and left.

Police and a member of the alcohol commission came in and told the restaurant's management that it had failed the check. They were issued two violations, one for each minor, the detective said.

Selectmen meted out the one-day suspension to the restaurant in keeping with protocol.

In 2008, seven local establishments failed alcohol compliance checks and the selectmen pulled their liquor licenses for a day, Selectman Jill Sullivan said.

This time around, Aikia was the only establishment, of 17 in town, that served minors.

Det. Delano said the restaurant was given notice two and a half weeks earlier that the department carries out compliance checks.

Aikia owner Frandy Xu took responsibility for the mistake and apologized to the board. The bartender apologized for his actions, as well.

Aikia, a Japanese steakhouse with Benihana-style chefs, opened about a year ago.

The board also gave the restaurant owner until Friday at noon to provide the town a list of its employees and verification that all who serve alcohol are TIPS certified.

The town requires TIPS certification for those who serve alcohol in local establishments.

The Training and Intervention Procedures for Servers of alcohol Certification program presents online training and testing to prevent intoxication, drunk driving and serving of minors.

Some towns, including Swampscott, require servers to get this certificate.

Aikia servers were not TIPS certified when the compliance test took place.

Now, all of them but the owner have their certification.