Dox in Island Park becomes first Long Island business to have liquor license suspended for Covid-19 violations

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Dox in Island Park became the first Long Island business to have its liquor license suspended by the State Liquor Authority for multiple violations, which included failing to comply with orders to stop the spread of the coronavirus. 

“This licensee received repeated warnings and chose to ignore them, causing an unnecessary and avoidable health risk to patrons, employees and the community,” SLA Chairman Vincent Bradley said in the statement. “Licensees who ignored these lifesaving protocols are not just jeopardizing their licenses, they’re jeopardizing people’s lives.”

According to the SLA, Dox received multiple verbal and written violations, dating back to mid-May, for complaints that included social-distancing violations, overcrowding and noise issues.

Norah Kelleher, the owner of Dox, at 50 Broadway in Island Park, acknowledged the decision. 

"It's unfortunate that it came to a license suspension," she said. "We are trying to work with the SLA and get it open."

Kelleher declined to comment further. 

A compliance inspection was completed at Dox by representatives from the SLA and the Nassau County Fire Marshal's office on June 27. The investigators found that more than 200 patrons were packed onto an outdoor patio deck, which had a legal capacity of 42. The emergency suspension was approved at a special meeting of the SLA on Wednesday, and ordered by Bradley and Commissioners LIly Fran and Greeley Ford, according to the statement.