Cariboo Hotel loses $40K from BCLCA shutdown

By Autumn MacDonald - Quesnel Cariboo Observer - April 30, 2008

After more than 100 years of operation, the Cariboo Hotel was shut down for four full days.

From last Thursday to Monday the establishment that has served countless customers had its permit to operate physically removed from the wall, the doors locked and the employees sent home.

Why?

Within the Liquor Control Act it states:

“It is your responsibility (owner) to make sure patrons do not become intoxicated while in your establishment.

“You must not let a person who is apparently under the influence of alcohol or drugs enter or remain in your establishment.

You must refuse the person service, have that person removed and see that he/she departs safely.”

Aug. 2, 2007 a liquor control inspector entered the Cariboo at 11:30 p.m., and identified what she thought was an intoxicated male.

The inspector told staff to refuse him service and remove him from the premises on Front Street.

Staff obliged and called the man a taxi.

The man waited on premises for his cab.

Problem?

He waited in the ‘red line’ area.

The red line is where booze can be sold –– in the ’Boo it’s the carpeted area.

The inspector wrote the establishment a contravention notice –– for permitting an intoxicated person to remain in that part of the licensed establishment where liquor is served or sold.

The Liquor Control Board calls it a safety issue.

“Whose safety is at risk?” Cyca asked.

“The person who is supposedly intoxicated? The customers? Or staff?”

Cyca says safety in her establishment is a top priority -– always has been.

She and partner Sid Cyca made a decision to fight the enforcement.

“I felt that no one’s safety was compromised,” she said.

“But perhaps if I would have made this guy wait outside his would’ve been.”

The Cariboo has routinely allowed customers to remain in the safety of the premises, have a glass of water or coffee while waiting for their cab.

Not anymore.

“We will now have to tell that customer to leave the red line immediately,” she said.

FYI: The bathrooms are excluded from the ‘red area.’

However Cyca does feel she learned something from her experience.

“Two people who own a pub can’t fight government,” she said wryly.

If an establishment wishes to question the enforcement order they attend a hearing. Darlene, Sid and their lawyer were to attend as well as the registrar, branch advocate and liquor inspector.

Problem?

All parties involved, with the exception of the Cycas and their lawyer, are from the same governmental authority.

“They should not be able to police themselves,” she said.

“And these policies need to be reviewed and clarified.”

Liquor control inspectors go off a physical and mental intoxication list. If you meet any of these “signs” they can inform the establishment of your “intoxication.”

Bad news for allergy sufferers or anyone popping in for a pint after shift work. Because some of those signs include red eyes and disheveled appearance.

And those four enforced shut down days?

“I’d say we lost about $40,000 in revenue,” Cyca said, noting that doesn’t include all the food that needed to be thrown out.

But the ’Boo isn’t the only establishment Liquor Control shut down this year.

In fact, from April 1, 2007 to September 30, 2007 the provincial agency handed out $100,500 in fines, 322 days in license suspensions and one license cancellation.

But ever the optimist, Cyca points to the overwhelming community support the shut down resulted in.

“I really want to thank everyone for all their support,” she said, leafing through dozens of letters filled with kind words.

“We will carry on business as usual.”

The B.C. Liquor Control Board could not be reached for comment at the Cariboo Observer's deadlines.

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Cariboo Hotel loses $40K from BCLCA shutdown

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