These Charlotte businesses, mostly gambling arcades, cited for COVID-19 violations

Almost 20 local businesses have been cited for violating coronavirus-related orders in recent weeks, primarily gambling arcades that must stay closed for now under Mecklenburg County’s and North Carolina’s reopening plans.

In that tally, three establishments were also cited for alcohol violations, according to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department news release on Friday. CMPD said five other businesses, including bars and nightclubs, had only ABC violations.

“We work towards voluntary cooperation with each member of the community through education and conversations, only resorting to citations and/or arrests as a last-measure,” CMPD said Friday. “This has been the CMPD’s approach to consistent enforcement of the orders, and it will remain so until the orders are rescinded. It’s encouraging to note that CMPD continues to receive a tremendous level of cooperation from the community.”

Still, local law enforcement agencies are cracking down on “straightforward” coronavirus restriction violations, such as the late-night alcohol curfew, CMPD Deputy Chief Jeff Estes told county commissioners Wednesday. CMPD and alcohol enforcement officers have visited about 290 establishments so far to ensure compliance, Estes said.

The county’s order prohibits restaurants from selling alcohol after 11 p.m. in unincorporated parts of Mecklenburg, the city of Charlotte, and the towns of Davidson, Matthews and Pineville. Local restaurants can offer delivery or pick-up food orders after 11 p.m., but on-site customers are banned between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

The regulations, for now, won’t lift until the state moves into Phase 3, Mecklenburg officials say.

Estes said Wednesday that CMPD will regularly disclose enforcement actions tied to COVID-19.

Here’s the list of businesses cited for COVID-related orders:

• Elite Arcade — N. Tryon Street

• Arcade Fish House — Monroe Road

• Joe’s Arcade — E. WT Harris Boulevard

• Tip Top Sweepstakes — E. WT Harris Boulevard

• Cash Now Arcade — David Cox Road

• Fish Arcade — Susan Drive

• Stars Arcade — South Boulevard

• The Arcade — Wilkinson Boulevard

• Tank Arcade — N. Graham Street

• Playhouse Arcade — N. Graham Street

• “007 Arcade” — Wilkinson Boulevard

• White House — Wilkinson Boulevard

• El Centenario — N. Tryon Street

• Pins Mechanical Company — W. Tremont Avenue

Business cited for ABC violations:

• Deluxe: The Fine Art of Dining — W. 4th Street

• King of Spicy — E. WT Harris Boulevard

• Oh My Soul — N. Davidson Street

• Fire House Bar & Lounge — W. Carson Boulevard

• Bradshaw’s Social House — Rea Road

CMPD says a citation was issued at Bradshaw’s Social House but the owner of the business says neither he nor any employees received any penalty or ticket. Justin Sprowles told the Observer North Carolina alcohol law enforcement officers were at the restaurant on July 24 for what police have been calling “educational visits.” A spokesperson for the ABC Commission told the Observer there is no record of a citation or violation on file for Bradshaw’s.

Businesses cited for both:

• Fantasy Lounge — W. Morehead Street

• J&J Tavern — University City Boulevard

• Chasers — The Plaza

This story was originally published August 8, 2020 at 6:00 AM.