SLA Issues Emergency Suspension for P & G's Restaurant in New Paltz

The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) summarily suspended the license of M C & E D BECK INC, D.B.A. P & G's Restaurant at 91 Main Street in New Paltz. The suspension was ordered by Chair Lily Fan and Commissioner Edgar De Leon at a meeting of the Full Board on March 21, 2024. Effective immediately, no alcohol may be sold or consumed on the premises.

On March 15th, investigators from the SLA, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Ulster County Sheriff's Department (UCS) conducted a compliance inspection at P & G’s following numerous complaints of underage drinking.

It is alleged an estimated 120 of the approximately 200 patrons inside were under the age of twenty-one, with 63 providing statements acknowledging they were underage and purchased and/or consumed alcohol at the location. In addition, UCS also issued 14 tickets to minors for possessing fraudulent identification and 4 bartenders were arrested for allegedly selling alcohol to minors.

Other charged violations relate to allegations surrounding employing unlicensed security guards, record keeping insufficiencies and the sale of Jell-O shots, which is prohibited by New York’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.

“Cracking down on underage sales of alcohol is a priority for the SLA, and we will not hesitate to take decisive action when called for to protect public health, safety and welfare,” said SLA Chair Lily Fan. "Licensees need to take basic steps to ensure their patrons are of legal age, including training employees, checking every ID and obtaining high-tech scanners to spot fakes.”

DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “DMV is proud to partner with SLA and law enforcement to help detect fake identifications and to prevent underage people from trying to use them to consume alcohol. The safety of minors is at risk when they drink and more so if they choose to drive afterwards. Any establishment that sells alcohol bears a responsibility to follow the law to protect minors and everyone on New York’s roads.”  

The State Administrative Procedure Act authorizes a state agency to summarily suspend a license when the agency finds that public health, safety, or welfare require emergency action. When the SLA summarily suspends a license, it also serves a Notice of Pleading alleging one or more disciplinary violations. In invoking a summary suspension, the SLA has deemed the alleged violation to be sufficiently serious upon initial review to warrant an immediate suspension. The SLA’s decision to summarily suspend a license is not a final determination on the merits of the case. The licensee is entitled to a prompt hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.