SLA files 11 charges against Legends on Pearl
Eight of the charges are for underage sales, according to a list provided by the SLA. The remaining are for having an unlicensed security guard, for failing to keep adequate and accurate records of business transactions and for not being “operated as a bona fide premises within the contemplation of the license issued.”An agency spokesman said the last charge, which is widely used when some aspect of the business’ operation does not conform with details on its application for a liquor license, was filed because Legends on Pearl was not serving food during an investigator’s visit. Under state law, restaurants and bars are required to have food available. Friday (10/21). daily and keeps its bar open later a common practice in the restaurant industry, where virtually all kitchens close before the business stops serving alcohol on any given night. The SLA spokesman, William Crowley, could not explain why Legends was apparently cited for a nearly ubiquitous practice.Speaking of Legends’ owner, Albany restaurateur John DeJohn, attorney Mark J. McCarthy said, “He’s disappointed that the SLA felt the need to file charges. He looks forward to having a hearing and explaining why the charges should not impair his liquor license or any other business that he is pursuing.”In addition to Legends on Pearl, DeJohn’s owns three Lark Street restaurants and bars, the Pearl Street Pub downtown and DeJohn’s Ship’s Pub, which opened this past weekend on Northern Boulevard. He also has the contract for food and beverage service at The Armory Sports Convention Center, as the Washington Avenue Armory is now known. DeJohn has applied for a city permit to operate a full service restaurant within the armory.Legends on Pearl opened Sept. 7 at 84 North Pearl St., site of the former nightclub Plastic, which was shuttered late last year by the city after a shooting. DeJohn was unaffiliated with Plastic, but his business partner in Legends on Pearl is the former party promoter for Plastic.Legends on Pearl has an application pending with the Albany Board of Zoning Appeals for a nightclub license, required if an establishment wishes to have live music or a DJ. It is allowed to bring in a DJ while the application is being considered. Although Legends on Pearl has the word “sports” in its name and attracts a crowd for football games, late on Thursday through Saturday nights it turns into a nightclub packed with twentysomethings dancing and drinking under disco lights. Being denied a nightclub designation by the BZA would essentially end Legends on Pearl’s lucrative late night business, DeJohn says.”I’m concerned about (the application),” DeJohn tells me. “I run a good business and do the best I can to follow the laws. fake id generator But you can’t control everything.” On the night of the raid, he says, 236 people were in the bar, eight of whom were found to be underage and carrying what DeJohn says were “amazing fake IDs.” Agents from the state Department of Motor Vehicles were on hand to assess the validity of IDs.”They had to bring in experts to figure that out,” DeJohn says. “I’m very proud of my staff. They’re trained for this, but when we’re faced with that kind of (fake ID), how can we be expected to get them all?”SLA charges are the first the agency has leveled against a DeJohn business since he opened DeJohn’s Pub on Lark Street eight years ago is sad that John DeJohn was obviosuly TARGETED. He is obviously an ethical business owner that adds value to the community in which his establishments operate. I hope he learns from the sanctions, fines, etc. The person I was with was 21 and went in first, no problem. I showed my license and got asked to produce a second ID. I did, but asked why? The guy checking IDs said it wasn common for people to come in with such a big age difference that he thought my ID might not be mine or might not be real. I was flattered he thought I was so young and I appreciated Biergarten taking a tough stance on not letting in underaged kids.The scanners that bars can buy show the information on the front of the ID that is contained in the large bar code on the bottom, not the little one on the top. There are also check digits contained in that bar code that can be verified with information on the front.If someone were to fake the large bar code they would also have to fake the front, check digita and the material the license is made of. It would take an ultra expensive large scale operation to do that. Not to mention it would cost a lot more than some college kids could afford.I seen these scanners in every major city, if this guy want to cover his arse, he should stop making excuses and install this system. Problem Solved.DeJohn: can control everything! Really? idreddit.com Well you can control your partner being on Sienas campus actively recruiting underage kids to your establishment can you? DeJohn knew exactly what came with Omid when he decided to partner up with him. Now he should pay the price for it.Still can believe he trying to make us all think he doing a good job with this new place. Once I heard Omid was involved, it was obvious what this place was going to be. Let hope the city denies them their license to have that sideburned fool play music there!!Poster 21, So I guess youre saying that there nothing to see on Pearl st, no problems right! its that chief barbrady style of governing in this city that has fostered the climate of problems that we have! And I can assure U if i had indeed been elected, you wouldnt be seeing these types of headlines in this city! Simply put, when I came up the campus was the destination not the downtown bars! The problems then was keeping the locals out of the college parties. SUNYA, RPI, the parties, the concerts, that is where it needs to return to, back on campus! And that is what needs to be advanced so solve this underage drinking problem! campus life ffor students, not the downtown bar scene!!!So Marlon, Are you suggesting caging in all of the college students to a campus so they can leave? And in case you haven read the paper, they are trying to eliminate the student ghetto where these house parties are being thrown. I assure you, I am so thankful you are not our Mayor. The issue has nothing to do with our local government. The issue is JDJ and Omid promoting to local colleges rather than a bar clientelle. There was no way to predict that they would deviate from there application with the city. idpurchase.com Even the great Marlon couldn have predicted that one. The reason why we are seeing headlines is because the City and State are actually doing something about it.IMO; Mr. DeJohn is not complicated (if you get to know him). Although I do frequent his establishments I would never describe myself as a friend (despite at least a dozen conversations over the past couple years). I say I an acquaintance (he calls me by name when we meet). Having said that; I believe John to be a driven business man who spares little time for talk I know quite a few business owners with this trait and most of them operate successful businesses.But that shortness can be perceived in many different ways from different people. After only conversations, and I can begin to explain why but if Mr. DeJohn was in need of any help in say an altercation or squabble I would come to his defense. I would do so because I believe Mr. DeJohn would come to my defense under the same circumstances. A stand up guy, that how I perceive him.I for one will continue to be seen in his establishments (I enjoy the Lark Str scene and the great venues S N Pearl Str has to offer) as I am not convinced Mr. DeJohns actions and motives are anything but a sincere attempt to succeed in a very difficult business. Ironically the new Legends Sports Bar is the only one I have not been in but now a visit is on the horizon.Have no idea who the Omid fella is thou but he does seem to attract a lot of comments.Poster 49 NO I am not for restricting anyone to move anywhere, but i am saying that campus life needs to be recentered to the campus not downtown albanys bars, and that wild party you talk about is a simple reflection of the climate in albany that has been deemed acceptable for far too long! and you are saying that this city has had no culpability in promoting that college atmospher in downtown albany? I think the entire city would disagree with you on that one! after all this is the same city that blocks off pearl st for the whole summer to promote that atmosphere! fake id And your further go on to say that there was no way to predict this even though in downtown albany and beyond there has been a systained and prevasive pattern of such conduct? The reason why we are seeing these headlines (YET again) is because once again dowtown albany has pursued its above the law status, a status that this city has literaslly bent over backward to maintain! In other words this is all part of a bigger picture, a picture long overdue to be addressed! And scapegoating mr. dejohn wont address it!!