Knock three times

The locking of doors during business at one of Saratoga’s liquor establishments was a topic of discussion during the March 15 meeting of the Saratoga Town Council.

Saratoga Police Chief Ken Lehr informed the governing body of Saratoga of an incident involving Sergeant Tyler Christen on Saturday evening at the Rustic Bar (Rustic), which is one of three businesses on Bridge Avenue which holds a liquor license. According to Lehr, when Christen went to the Rustic to conduct a bar check he found the door locked while the business was still open.

“They didn’t let him in, so went up to the (Lazy River) Cantina, come back, banged a little bit harder. They finally let him in. He went in and explained they can’t do that,” said Lehr. “This is like the third episode. Not this year, but over the last couple years that we’ve had with this. Legally, they can’t lock patrons in that establishment because of fire issues as well. We kind of want to bring that to your attention, that we’re continually having that issue with them.”

While the incident on March 12 was the most recent, a similar incident was raised during a council meeting in November 2021. Despite one of the owners of the bar, Eric Nelson, being in attendance during a public hearing for all liquor licenses prior to the council meeting he was not asked about the incident. Councilmember Jon Nelson asked Lehr about the issue in November under reports from the police department.

“I was going to try to compile all those dates and to have them for you guys tonight but I had people in my office up until right before I came in here,” Lehr said. “It’s the third issue that I can recall just over the last couple of years that they have locked the doors and not let the officers in.”

When asked about the reasons given for the doors being locked during business hours, Lehr said officers had been told the doors had been locked to prevent someone from returning to the bar after they had left.

“I think they just want to be left alone in there when they’re drinking,” said Lehr. “They don’t want any of the snowmobilers and stuff coming in.”

Councilmember Ron Hutchins, who joined via phone, informed the rest of the council he had spoken with Eric Nelson following the renewal of the Rustic’s liquor license last November.

“He is well aware that those doors should not be locked during business hours and he said he’s never had a problem with it before,” said Hutchins. “One of the things I can tell you is there’s always a comedian in the crowd and the customers sit right there on the corner of the bar and I would most likely think the customer thinks he’s being funny rather than the owner allowing that door to be locked. I’m almost positive Eric would not allow that to happen.”

Lehr replied they found it was typically one of the bartenders who had locked the door. When asked if it was the same bartender, the chief replied the last two incidents were two separate employees. He added locking of the door was a safety issue as it prevented a safe exit from the building in case of a fire.

Under Wyoming State Statute 12-4-104(b)(i) dictates that any liquor license may not be issued, renewed or transferred if “The welfare of the people residing in the vicinity of the proposed license or permit premises shall be adversely and seriously affected”. Additionally, under Wyoming State Statute 12-8-101, any person who violates Title 12 for which no specific penalty is provided may be charged with a misdemeanor and fined $750.

As discussion continued, Councilmember Nelson asked what recourse the governing body had to resolve the situation. Lehr informed the council they could hold a public hearing, similar to one in which the liquor licenses are granted, and ask the owners how they would rectify the situation. Town Clerk Marie Christen added the owners could also face a $750 fine and could have their license revoked by the town council.

“It’s nothing to do with the owners,” said Lehr. “The owners try to keep everything the way it needs to be.”

Councilmember Nelson added he didn’t want the situation to come to a point where the governing body was dictating to the business what kind of locks to have on its doors to prevent customers from barring entry during business hours.

While no formal action was taken, Lehr was instructed by the town council to deliver an official warning to the owners of the Rustic regarding the incidents. 

The next meeting of the Saratoga Town Council will be at 6 p.m. on April 5 at Saratoga Town Hall.