Baldwin City Council held an administrative hearing on Monday, Oct. 28, concerning Magic 777. The business, which was ultimately sanctioned by the council, faced serious allegations regarding its alcohol licensing.
The administrative hearing was prompted by a citation issued by the Baldwin Police Department, which cited Magic 777 for possessing alcohol for sale without a valid city or state license. Evidence was seized at the time of the citation.
Al Khadher Alansi, a representative for Magic 777, did not attend the hearing.
During the hearing, City Attorney Jack Samuels told the council that the incident occurred on October 22 while officers were conducting a routine investigation that led them to Magic 777. During that investigation, officers discovered there was alcohol for sale.
The owner was cited and will have to appear before Baldwin Municipal Court for that citation.
Staff recommendation
Samuels explained that this was an administrative hearing due to the business’ alcohol license or the lack thereof. He told the council that staff recommends that the business not have the ability to apply for an alcohol license for the rest of 2024 and the first month of 2025.
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He explained to the council that there will be other sanctions for the business and the owner. The purpose of the hearing was for the council to sanction the ability of the business to obtain an alcohol license.
Mayor Stephanie Almagno opened the floor for the council to discuss the issue.
“Blatant disregard, not only for our ordinance,” Councilwoman Alice Venter said. Her thoughts on the matter was that the business put the alcohol on the shelf without an application.
Chief Administrative Officer Emily Woodmaster explained that the business had attempted to apply for an alcohol license three times with the city. She told the council that the applications provided insufficient documentation as required.
Venter shared her concerns since the application process isn’t difficult and they have been denied because they can’t do it correctly.
She expressed her frustration due to the business owner not attending the hearing. “The blatant disregard in the fact they couldn’t even be bothered to show up,” Venter said.
Discussion among the council moved to the question asked by Almagno, “Do we have to give them a license?”
State violations
Police Chief Chris Jones added to the discussion. “We’ve talked to the Department of Revenue. They don’t even have a state alcohol license.” He explained to the council that this matter would be reported to the state and would slow up the business’ application process. “This violation will have to go before them as well,” Jones said.
Venter told the council, “I’m not interested in doing anything.”
Venter asked who sold the business the alcohol? Woodmaster responded, “The wholesaler. It was purchased under another license.” Venter gasped, ”Oh the plot thickens.”
Woodmaster explained that the alcohol was purchased under a previous business’ name that had an alcohol license at that location.
Almagno asked if there was any further discussion. Venter explained that she was not in favor of the business having an alcohol license.
Code enforcement
Almagno asked to hear from code enforcement. Code Enforcement Officer Chris Thomason explained that he wrote the warning citations for the store last Tuesday. The owner told him that he would be back in town within 24 to 48 hours. Thomason was there both days to serve the owner his notice for the hearing.
Thomason was able to make contact with the owner on the day of the hearing and expressed to him to read the letter and advised him of the hearing.
Venter expressed that she would be in favor of not giving the business an alcohol license. The council discussed whether to follow the recommendation of staff or deny the business owner the opportunity to apply for the license.
Following the hearing, the Baldwin City Council unanimously voted to prohibit Magic 777 from obtaining an alcohol license for the remainder of 2024. Additionally, if the business wishes to apply for an alcohol license in 2025, they will not be eligible to do so until after January 31, 2025, and must present their application directly to the city council.
“Baldwin is committed to the safety and well-being of all our residents,” stated Baldwin Mayor Stephanie Almagno. “We hope that this action directs the existing business to comply with local ordinances meant to protect our community.”
As a result of the council’s decision, any future application for an alcohol license by Magic 777 will require approval from the Baldwin City Council.
