By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

Last month's suspension of Fayetteville city alcohol losses is causing a major hurt at the cash register for some of Fayette's finer eating establishments.

The city pulled the licenses after an undercover operation discovered several restaurants and stores selling beer and wine to minors.

One of the restaurants feeling the biggest effects is the City Cafe.

“We've had about a 20 percent drop in sales,” said owner Jorg Schatte.

Schatte said the restaurant tries everything possible to prevent underage alcohol sales, including posting a notice for all employees to see.

Schatte said he's put his life savings into the restaurant and really doesn't know anything else he can do to prevent underage sales.

“It wasn't done intentionally. Our clientele is not school kids,' he said.

Across town at the Village Cafe, owner Susan Boutier is seeing a similar loss in revenue. In a letter to The Citizen, Boutier said the suspension of her license has caused great strain on the business.

“There is only so much a small business owner like myself can do. This ruined Christmas for my family, and any profit that we might have made this year must be put into safekeeping for January. It is a bitter pill,' she wrote.

Not only has the restaurant suffered, but also the employee who sold the alcohol illegally, she added.

“This unfortunate error in judgement cost her dearly. She was charged with a misdemeanor, paid a fine of $750, is on probation for a year, can no longer be a server in any establishment that sells alcohol in the city of Fayetteville, and has a criminal record. How much is enough?” she said.

The restaurants will be allowed to start selling alcohol Feb.1.

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