Caryn's Liquor License Suspended For Three Days For Alcohol Violations

WAKEFIELD, MA — Caryn's Sports Bar & Restaurant had its liquor license suspended for three days by the Wakefield Board of Selectmen Monday night. Caryn's will not be allowed to sell alcohol on May 31, June 1, and June 2 following two offenses at the Main Street bar that took place April 28 and 29. Both offenses involved alcohol being sold to intoxicated individuals.

While voicing support for Caryn's long-term success, the Selectmen's frustration was equally loud.

"This has got to stop and this has got to stop now," said Selectman Tony Longo, who added Caryn's is the only bar that's been called before the board in his 14 months as a member of the board. (Subscribe to Wakefield Patch for more local news.)

"We want this business to succeed, but there's been a lot of issues," said board member Ann McGonigle Santos.

After a lengthy discussion that included Caryn's Leanne Wheeler and Wakefield Police Chief Richard Smith, the board voted 5-0 that there were alcohol violations on both April 28 and 29. After Town Administrator Stephen Maio explained the options for sanctions, selectmen imposed the minimum, issuing a warning for the first violation on April 28 and a three-day license suspension for the second offense. That again passed by a 5-0 vote. Because it was considered two separate issues, the three-day suspension was the minimum for the second violation. The maximum sentence they could have imposed was nine days.

The board then decided on the days, with another unanimous vote for a Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Chief Smith wanted Saturday to be included because that was the day of the last violation, but selectmen were reluctant to make Caryn's go a Friday and Saturday without being able to serve alcohol.

The discussion ended with Wheeler in tears and Longo saying he hoped he'd never see her again in that room.