Well Known Ocean Drive Cafe Shut Down By City

MIAMI BEACH, FL — A well-known outdoor cafe along iconic Ocean Drive was abruptly ordered shut down on Thursday evening after what city officials described as repeated sales of alcohol to minors. The emergency order was issued to La Baguette Restaurant by City Manager Jimmy Morales. The business is located at 1052 Ocean Drive B.

City officials said "several" restaurant employees repeatedly sold alcohol to minors and "facilitated" the removal of open containers from the restaurant. Officials said that the employees would be charged with selling, giving or serving an alcoholic beverage to a person under 21 years of age, which is a violation of Florida law and a second-degree misdemeanor.

“Based on the nature and gravity of the allegations uncovered, I determined that this presented an actual threat to the public health, welfare and safety, and it was imperative that we acted swiftly to remedy this situation,” Morales said.

The extraordinary decision by city officials to revoke La Baguette's business tax receipt and certificate of use stemmed from "multiple investigative operations" in recent weeks by Miami Beach police and Code Compliance Department, according to city officials. Morales also issued an order suspending La Baguette's sidewalk café permit.

"It has also been determined that employees of La Baguette have facilitated or allowed customers of La Baguette to take open containers of alcoholic beverages from the premises in violation of the city of Miami Beach Code of Laws and Ordinances," Morales penned in the hand-delivered emergency order.

Morales added that the restaurant's "habitual conduct" presents an "actual threat" to the public health, welfare and safety of residents and visitors.

Image courtesy Miami Beach