[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6165692,"mediaKeyId","5418034-1a999f1bd19b08106ddc7f735d8eaf36","parentId",5418034,"title","Liquor control asks city commission to draft ordinance for limited off‑sale add‑on license","audioSeconds",1320,"startMs",1360000,"endMs",2680000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418034-1a999f1bd19b08106ddc7f735d8eaf36&start=1360&end=2680","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418034-1a999f1bd19b08106ddc7f735d8eaf36/thumbnail_1360000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6165692/Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Liquor-control-asks-city-commission-to-draft-ordinance-for-limited-offsale-addon-license","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165692-debd6aa0e2d47c652eec93e2df446395/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141114&Signature=GqLfzQR3hAkpyLvQaE0q798wnQ7vXcLH-IBuodWbF6P-YnqmV2HgIn2XgU1MD01~jS2jXeN2x-zNE7bF91wumWC8Y1Tvs5IBMKc-CqEU~ndGb46kDZ84rByUt~aLyvnjIrTFHsi9kfykAvvDfBgqjlZc8gBB~dOXrLDfKSW6nZ838PQUryd~pJUpT-ALSqNoo50W0sf-wUb5g2A~i28V4DcwJDV87X8StWnL8eJQboWnwBAwjALmmW7WbaVWg2syhwhvzgDuW3-lo1jvdVPuUuXag8E0n2qtCwZcx1zTEYXR7gO7A3RgyJTpdJH2uMQR2UdZYA~x~wkeZniLrsdVTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Fargo, ND","date","2025-07-16T00:00:00Z","article","The Fargo Liquor Control board voted to ask the City Commission to direct the city attorney to draft a proposed ordinance establishing a limited off-sale add-on license that would allow some on-premise food establishments to sell limited quantities of beer and wine for off-premise consumption.

Staff presented proposed parameters: the add-on would be issued only in combination with an existing license (not standalone); alcohol off-sales would be limited to beer and wine in small quantities; display/sale area would be limited to about 100 square feet; the off-sale area must be segregated and restricted to customers 21 and older; and the proposal included a suggested per-transaction cap of 12 bottles or cans. \"The licensee would not be a standalone license...We talked about a square footage floor display to limit it to like about a 100 square feet,\" said Steve Sprague, licensing staff.

Why it matters: Supporters said the change would improve customer convenience and help small downtown restaurants increase sales without creating new full-scale off-sale businesses. Opponents and some commissioners raised concerns about blurring the line between on-premise and off-premise sales and the risk of unintended consequences. Commissioner Bob cautioned that loosening the distinction between on-premise and off-premise sales \"could create issues\" and suggested the drafting process allow ample time for review and for addressing unintended consequences.

Process and next steps: The motion approved by the liquor board asks the City Commission to direct the city attorney (Nancy) to draft a proposed ordinance and return it to Liquor Control for review before any final City Commission action. Steve said staff would arrange for stakeholders (proposers, retailers, and legal staff) to review draft language and that drafts would be circulated ahead of further discussion.

Key limits and clarifications discussed in the meeting:
- Add-on only (must be paired with an existing license); not a standalone license.
- Limit to beer and wine and to a small display area (approx. 100 sq ft).
- Off-sale area must be a 21-plus section separated by the 100-foot rule where applicable.
- Suggested transaction cap of 12 bottles/cans.

Ending: The board approved the motion to request drafting of an ordinance and asked staff to include stakeholders in drafting and to return the proposed ordinance to Liquor Control for further discussion before City Commission adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fargo City Liquor Control Board - 07.16.2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Fargo Liquor Control board voted to request that the City Commission direct the city attorney to draft an ordinance creating a limited off-sale add-on license (beer/wine), with proposed limits such as a 100-square-foot display, a 12-bottle per-transaction cap and a required 21-plus area.","taxTitle","Fargo , Cass County, North Dakota","taxId",2742,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6165697,"Liquor board applies $500 penalties after multiple compliance failures; police urge stronger steps on underage service",719,650000,1369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418034-1a999f1bd19b08106ddc7f735d8eaf36&start=650&end=1369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418034-1a999f1bd19b08106ddc7f735d8eaf36/thumbnail_650000.jpg","/articles/6165697/Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Liquor-board-applies-500-penalties-after-multiple-compliance-failures-police-urge-stronger-steps-on-underage-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165697-00799bf2d4b31c026408ef78a44ff569/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141114&Signature=M-9piip1Csc2RcuL2VD57Jwv9T8Q~pShfpKvhzNaqg-hofuwhDkRCIzjtLYeF2aFx4XAm56Kq6xvhiRnTtvuc1A6g3ydglzseSuGfu-6ujy8k8IfXVceNifjxzlIb341kvnImtaDmDdWRbRV6Yh~5wwU2xyUINgsdje-FzjuoYfR8~60UyZHNppfJqu4TBLnPXfPg8IJtFBqCWpQCnyuuBSeA9j8mUixTy5WUHmHKoirLyOXLo6IhnA0EUn4TqYgXdfvnR5mcY3NrHTfnC6j5~qgGFf4Zo8wkTe90YK9Kr8KayOCVRA-n39Je9FrBdiFZl9MEfGNpPXKaMjc5QDcnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fargo Liquor Control board voted to apply a $500 administrative penalty to a group of establishments after recent compliance checks found sales to underage decoys or other failures.

The affected businesses named in the meeting packet were Applebee's North, Applebee's Thirteenth Avenue, Applebee's (40 Fifth Street), Chili's, Bismarck Tavern and Empire Tavern. \"Proper notice has been sent to all of these businesses,\" said Steve Sprague, licensing staff.

Why it matters: The police described a recurring pattern in which servers examine IDs for 18- and 19-year-olds and then serve them anyway, exposing owners to liability and undermining enforcement efforts. Chief Zabulski highlighted that pattern and suggested consideration of higher fines for servers who violate the rules: \"it just seems to be, it's inexplicable why they look and they continue to do it,\" he said.

Legal and enforcement context: Will, the city prosecutor, told the board the common charges for minors and alcohol — being on premises, possessing a fake ID, or being intoxicated — are infractions that \"can get punished up to a thousand dollars,\" though he said fines in municipal court \"usually range between 300 and $500.\" He also noted that in many of the compliance checks minors are working in cooperation with police as decoys.

Board discussion and remedies: Commissioners and staff discussed positive incentives and tools to reduce failures: acquiring forensic card readers, which staff said cost roughly $5,000–$6,000 each, and a possible buyback program to encourage confiscation of fake IDs. Robin Licki of Cass Public Health (program administrator) was identified as the contact who has distributed some trial card readers to local establishments.

Action and outcome: On a motion, the board voted to apply the $500 administrative penalty to the listed businesses. Staff said notices had been mailed and there were no protests on the record.

Ending: Board members asked staff to pursue increased outreach on available card readers and to consider positive incentives for compliant businesses while continuing enforcement for failures.","Following failed compliance checks at several establishments, Fargo's Liquor Control board voted to apply $500 administrative penalties; police and city staff discussed recurring underage service by servers and options such as card readers and increased penalties.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6165702,"Fargo liquor board approves transfers for Phoenix Buffet and Toasted Frog",233,245000,478000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418034-1a999f1bd19b08106ddc7f735d8eaf36&start=245&end=478","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418034-1a999f1bd19b08106ddc7f735d8eaf36/thumbnail_245000.jpg","/articles/6165702/Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Fargo-liquor-board-approves-transfers-for-Phoenix-Buffet-and-Toasted-Frog","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165702-10ac7b828479875f2b5cfe760db435d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141114&Signature=LuMTZoIm6SeDQ90pEdw7W-n3~tTNKlC6OY~~P1pRtsnsn5QNuedmlenHjQ82gwW6bvLFpOGtEc3i876cHfZOskfw~AlObNapm9i~NtLku4RnKDMnuN1ogoVt22uZsiuPD7L8r-3ysF3IxOUDvSE9iFKahiAEsg9e05XJBwb4nCR29qJEnFLEgXD82ayenXMABV-GMPOdMCY2~j29gO5OqHaGFY~Dpe5cw4ttSV083vGd-wm-w~n4i-8B1CyZFwzxjMe4wM3rLVPzEAyRbk-Q76fsYjkt7wncNyxgp9pys8lg1hj14CwuMKvO-OdycrNcuxEJT~IsbUy1oBXDmvH07w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fargo Liquor Control board voted to approve two transfers of alcoholic beverage licenses, allowing a new owner to operate Phoenix Buffet at 315540 Fifth Street South and a new ownership group to continue operating the Toasted Frog at 305 Broadway.

The approvals came after staff said background checks produced no issues and, in one case, a local manager was identified and cleared. \"We came up with nothing in the background, that was of concern,\" said Steve Sprague, a licensing staff member, recommending approval.

Why it matters: License transfers preserve ongoing businesses and keep downtown storefronts occupied. Board members said maintaining active businesses downtown and preserving established brands — for example, keeping the Toasted Frog name and menu items — guided their decisions.

Most important facts: For the Phoenix Buffet transfer, staff said the previous operator (Mexican Village) closed and a buyer was found; the applicant initially lacked a named local manager, but staff later verified a local manager who passed the background check. For the Toasted Frog transfer, staff described the transaction as a \"going concern\" transfer: the business name and location remain the same while ownership changes, which aligns with past practice for similar FARZ/FARZ-like licenses.

Board process and outcome: Commissioners moved and seconded each approval; votes were called and the motions carried. Staff reminded the board that licensees had been informed of server training and other regulatory requirements.

Context and next steps: Board members asked staff to compile a list of which legacy licenses remain transferable in the future, noting earlier changes to license rules around 2014. Steve Sprague said staff are maintaining a spreadsheet identifying older transferable licenses for future reference.

Ending: With background checks complete and compliance expectations reiterated to the new licensees, both transfers were approved and the board moved on to other agenda items.","The Fargo Liquor Control board approved two license transfers after background checks and review, allowing continued operation at both locations under new ownership arrangements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Liquor control asks city commission to draft ordinance for limited off‑sale add‑on license

Liquor board applies $500 penalties after multiple compliance failures; police urge stronger steps on underage service

Fargo liquor board approves transfers for Phoenix Buffet and Toasted Frog