Lincoln’s to have beer permit suspended at least one week

Lincoln’s Sports Grille will have a one- or two-week beer permit suspension depending upon improvements made before a June 9 meeting. (File photo)

The Oak Ridge Beer Board voted on Monday to suspend the beer permit of Lincoln’s Sport Grille for one or two weeks, depending upon improvements made before the board’s June meeting.

Lincoln’s has met with the board four times within the past two years. Monday’s meeting was in response to an April altercation between two male patrons.

The motion to allow Lincoln’s the opportunity for a reduced suspension was passed in a 4-3 vote, with opposition from Theresa Scott, Barton Bailey, and Randy Tedford.

The vote requires that Lincoln’s provide proof that they have made efforts to improve their business before the beer board’s next meeting on June 9. If they can not meet the board’s requirements for improvement, they will face a two-week suspension.

Tedford, who is Beer Board chair, said Lincoln’s must provide “a more comprehensive plan” to fix problems involving over-service and the patio gate at the popular restaurant, and add eight surveillance cameras around the premises and at least two more staff members to make sure the patio is adequately monitored.

If Lincoln’s cannot give proof that they are making these changes in time, they will face a two-week suspension. If they do meet the requirements, that suspension will be reduced to only one week.

Surveillance footage from the night of the altercation was shown at the meeting. In the video, one man was assaulted, and patrons could be seen entering and exiting the patio at will using a gate. The board made it clear that this should not be happening and patrons should be required to enter and exit only through the main entrance. It was also noted that very few employees were seen on the video provided.

Lincoln’s representatives assured the board that they had already made necessary changes to the gate and that plans were being made to add more security cameras.

The board made it clear that a “culture shift” is needed for Lincoln’s to truly succeed in the community.

Sara Wise is a freelance contributor to Oak Ridge Today.

See previous Lincoln’s story here.