NEW SHOREHAM, R.I. (WLNE) — After getting its liquor and entertainment license suspended earlier this week, Ballard’s Beach Resort won its appeal Wednesday and will be able to serve alcohol once again.
However, the resort still has its entertainment license suspended for 14 days.
“This afternoon, the DBR stayed the suspension until a full hearing on the merits, allowing Ballard’s to reopen immediately with a full food and bar menu. We take pride in being a longtime member of the Block Island community, and the safety of both our guests and neighbors is paramount,” a Ballard’s spokeswoman said in a statement.
“We will continue to collaborate with the Town and our fellow Islanders while we proudly serve our valued patrons,” the statement concluded.
In the 13-page ruling, DBR made several determinations against the Town’s argument for suspending the license.
According to the stay order, it acknowledges that a fight occurred in the early evening at Ballard’s but argues, “It (the Town) does not have a substantial likelihood of success to show that a 14 day suspension is appropriate for that one disorderly conduct in light of its licensing history and progressive discipline.”
The ruling also questions whether the incidents at and on the ferry can be proven to have been caused by what was taking place at Ballard’s.
“Some of the issues about the crowd control seem to relate more to the entertainment than liquor licensing,” reads the order.”
In the ruling, the order does note there will be no entertainment at Ballard’s for 14 days, citing that the it was the entertainment that caused the crowds Aug. 8.
“Many of the issues seem to be related to crowds at the ferry trying to leave after the concert. Since there will be no entertainment over the next 14 days, the potential public safety issue is not a factor,” reads the order.
A full hearing will be set on a date that is agreed upon by both Ballard’s and the Town. An attorney for Ballard’s told ABC 6 News he does not expect the hearing to take place before Labor Day.
The initial suspension came after a six-hour show cause hearing Monday evening, Block Island’s Town Council suspended Ballard’s liquor and entertainment licenses for two weeks effective immediately.
The board approved the 14-day suspension after finding Ballard’s “permitted the establishment to become disorderly, presented a danger to public health and safety, and had an event with inadequate security that overwhelmed staff and other island resources.”
The show cause hearing was sparked by a brawl that broke out at the bar, where one was arrested at the bar. Seven were arrested later that night on the ferry stemming from a fight.
A Rhode Island State Police trooper said thousands lined up for the ferry once the fight at Ballard’s was cleared, saying, “People were upset, tired, drunk, argumentative.”
While the town argued the bar was understaffed and created an environment capable of this type of incident, Ballard’s owner, Steve Filippi, said the crowd travelling to the island was out of his control.
Filippi also said at the hearing that Reggaefest will not be taking place in the future.
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August 25, 2022 at 04:16AM
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Ballard's wins appeal, able to serve alcohol again - WLNE-TV (ABC6)
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