Grand Rapids looks to revoke liquor license from popular bar

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - City leader in Grand Rapids are working to put an end to violence at a local bar.

The Margarita Grill made the news in a January 2008 incident where a man was murdered in a fight inside the bar that spilled outside.

Juno Krystiniak died from injuries in that street fight.

Grand Rapids Police say they've responded to 136 calls since January 2007 to the area around the bar. City records show at least 60 assaults in the same area.

City Attorneys believe that they have gathered enough evidence for the state to come in and shut off the taps.

The Margarita Grill is located right across the street from Van Andel Arena, and has proved to be such a popular location that the city has cited the bar twice in 2008 for overcrowding.

Grand Rapids Attorney Margaret Bloemers says that "the police and fire department have presented sufficient information to warrant setting a public hearing to see whether this liquor license should be revoked."

That hearing is scheduled to take place on September 2.

The city says that in the past 18 months the bar has repeatedly failed to enforce the state's liquor laws and capacity requirements.