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Approving the Legislative Hearing Officer's recommendation for the application submitted by Amazed Group LLC (License ID# 20190001176), d/b/a Cups & Cheers, to add a Liquor On Sale 2 AM Closing license to the existing Liquor On Sale - 291 or more seats, Liquor On Sale - Sunday, Entertainment (A), and Gambling Location licenses, located at 1624 & 1626 White Bear Avenue N.
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WHEREAS, Amazed Group LLC (License ID# 20190001176), d/b/a Cups & Cheers, located at 1624 & 1626 White Bear Avenue N, has applied for a Class N license to add a Liquor On Sale 2 AM Closing license to the existing Liquor On Sale - 291 or more seats, Liquor On Sale - Sunday, Entertainment (A), and Gambling Location licenses; and
WHEREAS, the applicant notified the Greater East Side Community Council prior to submitting their application; and
WHEREAS, a notification regarding the license application was sent from the Department of Safety and Inspections to the affected neighborhood for the period of June 4, 2025, to June 19, 2025; and
WHEREAS, during the notification period, an objection was received which triggered the hearing and a hearing was held on June 26, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the objection was related to safety, trash, and noise; and
WHEREAS, in response to the concerns raised, the licensee has agreed to work with the city to comply with the necessary requirements to minimize nuisance activities that would disturb the surrounding residential neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, after conducting the hearing and considering the testimonies and evidence, the Legislative Hearing Officer recommends approval of the application submitted by Amazed Group LLC (License ID# 20190001176), d/b/a Cups & Cheers, located at 1624 & 1626 White Bear Avenue N, with no additional conditions imposed, subject only to the following conditions:
Existing License Conditions (TO BE REMOVED)
1. Licensee agrees to operate the establishment in compliance with Section 409.02 of the City of Saint Paul Legislative Code as a "Restaurant"
2. Licensee agrees to close the establishment at 12:00 a.m. midnight. All patron/customers shall vacate the premises by 12:30 a.m. each day of the week as per Section 409.02 of the City of Saint Paul Legislative Code
Existing License Conditions to REMAIN
Licensed premises includes 1624 & 1626 White Bear Ave N
1. Licensee agrees that the sale, service, consumption, and/or display of alcohol is limited to the seating area identified in the application materials, and does not include the 33’ x 37’ room located on the eastern portion of the submitted floor plan.
2. Per City of Saint Paul Legislative Code 411.02, the definition of Entertainment A is, "Amplified or nonamplified music and/or singing by performers without limitation as to number, and group singing participated in by patrons of the establishment." (includes karaoke). Entertainment A license does not allow for patron and/or performance dances.
3. License holder will create a video surveillance camera and lighting placement plan (Video Surveillance Plan) for the interior and exterior of the licensed premises. License holder will submit the video surveillance plan to the Saint Paul Police Department (SPPD) liaison with the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) for review and approval. In accordance with the approved video surveillance plan, license holder will ensure that video surveillance camera system is in good working order, ensure it is recording 24 hours per day, ensure it can produce recorded surveillance video in a commonly used, up-to-date format, and ensure that accurate date and time of day are visible on all recorded video. License holder will retain recorded surveillance video for a minimum of thirty (30) days. If an incident is deemed serious by SPPD, license holder shall make surveillance video immediately available for viewing by SPPD. If a copy of the surveillance video for a serious incident is requested by SPPD, license holder shall have the technology, materials and staff available to immediately make the copy. In all other cases, license holder shall provide a copy of the surveillance video to the requestor within 48 hours.
4. Licensee agrees to not employ any person or persons previously employed by either and/or both of the previous two licensees and/or lessees of 1626 White Bear Avenue North.
5. Licensee shall take appropriate action to ensure the back door (near the restrooms) is limited to emergency use and deliveries only, it shall not be used by customer/patrons as an entrance to the establishment.
6. Licensee acknowledges that a Gambling Location license only permits an authorized charitable organization to conduct lawful charitable gambling in a manner approved by the State of Minnesota Gambling Control Board once the charitable organization has obtained a State of Minnesota Gambling Control Board Premise Permit.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Saint Paul hereby approves this license application with the aforementioned agreed-upon conditions and finds that the license conditions are reasonable, and the application is in order and there are no grounds to deny the approval of the licenses.
The conditions affidavit was signed and submitted on July 8, 2025.