Correction: The License Commission voted unanimously to mandate the bar to completely close Friday through Sunday, Sept. 6 through 8, and Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 12 through 15, and imposed eight months’ probation.
A heated show cause hearing recently resulted in limited hours of operation for downtown Haverhill’s New Lantern Cafe amid several alleged liquor license violations.
According to Haverhill Police Department Patrolman Bryan Bailey, two people were involved in an altercation inside the bar, with an additional person involved outside of the bar.
“The verbal altercation in the bar was the same male and female outside the bar with an additional person that got involved,” Bailey said. “All three parties were inside the bar originally.”
Owners Jonus and Clirim Rustani responded by alleging the female mentioned is a “con person.”
“Like I said before, the lady, she’s a con person and a thief. They were trying to rob the guy, they waited for him to leave,” Clirim Rustani said. “The Mexican guy was trying to tape them with his phone and the other gentleman slapped the phone out of his hand and the Mexican guy decided to give him a little beating.”
He added, “One of the other kids grabbed him and said citizen’s arrest, stopped him and then the other gentleman grabbed him by the neck and choked him out so he hit the ground and stomped on his face twice. Then the lady decided to stomp on his face twice.”
Chairperson Laura Angus questioned the brothers, asking “How do you know she’s a thief?” Clirim Rustani responded, “I’ve known her for a long time, we’ve been there for 40 years, our customers have said it.”
Angus later questioned why the female party was allowed in the bar in the first place. Commissioner Linda L. Koutoulas later questioned why the brothers, who were told during a June 1, 2023 meeting to have two staff on duty, only had one present.
According to Koutoulas, the owners have faced six liquor violations in the last year, including over serving and fighting outside of the bar. “You own a bar, you are responsible for what happens outside of it,” she said.
In a heated exchange, Jonus Rustani questioned how far his responsibility extends outside of his business. He asked, “When the place is closed, I open the door and I see people fighting outside, that falls on me?” Koutoulas responded, “If they come from your bar, it’s your responsibility.”
The brothers’ alleged three witnesses were on scene, but did not attend the hearing.
Commissioners later questioned whether the brothers’ camera system is functional. “We told your brother back in June of 23, you had to upgrade your camera system,” Angus said.
“Bottom line is, they need to get a working camera system,” Haverhill Police Department Sgt. Kevin Lynch added.
The brothers promised “to be more vigilant.” Angus said. “We can’t even get both of you in the same room like you’re supposed to be.” Koutoulas later added, “You haven’t followed our directives as far as employees or cameras and I don’t care if you’ve been here 100 years, things have changed.”
The License Commission voted unanimously to require the bar to close completely Friday through Sunday, Sept. 6 through 8, and Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 12 through 15, and impose eight months’ probation.