Atwells Ave Restaurant “Blatantly Disregarded” COVID Orders Staying Open Late New Year’s Eve
Saturday, January 02, 2021
A restaurant on Atwells Avenue was found to be in violation of Rhode Island’s coronavirus restrictions by Providence Police by staying open late on New Year’s Eve.
At approximately 11:30 PM, detectives in the License Enforcement Unit were notified by the Atwell Avenue detail that Saje Kitchen located at 332 Atwells Avenue was still in operation with patrons still inside the establishment consuming alcohol.
Under current executive orders, restaurants must close at 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTPolice Respond
At 11:50 PM, detectives responded to Sage Kitchen and upon arrival spoke with Andre Samuel who identified himself as the manager and asked him to close the establishment for the evening. Samuel told police that he would clear out the establishment.
Shortly after midnight, detectives responded back to Saje Kitchen and observed the establishment to be still in operation. As police entered the establishment they observed the establishment to have a smokey environment and could smell a strong odor that was consistent with that of burnt marijuana.
Police observed approximately 25 patrons still drinking alcohol and observed what appeared to be a hookah set up on one of the tables. Police also observed patrons sitting and standing at the bar area drinking alcohol in violation of the Governor's executive order of COVID-19.
Police then met with Samuel and he stated that the patrons inside were all employees. Police said at no point did they see any of the patrons actively cleaning. Police also observed the female bartender not wearing a mask while interacting with the patrons in violation of the Governor's executive order of COVID-19.
While speaking with Samuel, police said he became extremely belligerent defiantly yelling at police without wearing a proper mask, and acknowledged he was required to close early and not allowed to smoke hookah, or marijuana inside of the establishment, but being New Years Eve “he didn’t care.”
Police informed Samuel that he needed to close the establishment and have the patrons leave but he continued to argue with Police. At one point a waitress came over to police and stated that they were cashing out the patrons before they left.
According to police, Samuel continued his defiant behavior and stated “the only reason you’re in here is because I am Black,” and continued to raise his voice and yell at police to the point where other people in the establishment approached him and tried to calm him down several times.
COVID Violations Reported
Police informed Samuel that they were in violation of the Governor's Executive order for COVID-19 and that he was the only business open in the city.
At approximately 12:30, the patrons had all been removed from the establishment as staff began cleaning the restaurant. Staff remained on scene until approximately 1:45 AM despite the closure.
Police said that due to the blatant disregard of numerous violations of the Governors Executive Order for COVID-19, the report of the incident will be forwarded to the Law Department.
Related Articles
- RI Tops 1,600 Deaths - Near Record Hospitalizations and 1,081 New Coronavirus Cases
- RI Falls to 2nd in U.S. for Coronavirus Per Capita, 20 More Deaths, Testing Canceled on Thursday
- Confusion and Finger Pointing Hits Coronavirus Vaccine Rollout, Impacting RI
- Rhode Island Records 23 More Coronavirus Fatalities — 2nd Deadliest Day
- FDA Authorizes Moderna Coronavirus Vaccine for Emergency Use
- RI Reports 111 Coronavirus Deaths in Past Week—Hospitalizations at 455
- 46 Coronavirus Deaths in Rhode Island Over Weekend—20 on Sunday
- FDA Authorizes Pfizer’s Coronavirus Vaccine for Emergency Use
- UPDATE: RI Dept. of Health’s Alexander-Scott Tests Positive for Coronavirus, Raimondo to Quarantine
- RI Hospitals Begin Receiving Coronavirus Vaccine—Now Authorized to Vaccinate Frontline Workers
- RI Correctional Officer Dies From Coronavirus Complications
- UK Cancels Christmas Due to New “Highly Contagious” Strain of Coronavirus
- Agreement Reached on Coronavirus Stimulus Package - Rhode Island Native Was Holding up the Deal
- RI Coronavirus Infection Rate Nearly 10% - 18 More Deaths
- Rhode Island Now Has 4th Highest Number of Coronavirus Cases Per 100,000 in U.S.
- 2,347 New Coronavirus Cases Reports RIDOH, 400+ Deaths in Past Month
- UK Approves Use of AstraZeneca Vaccine for Coronavirus
- US Congressman-Elect Letlow Dies of Coronavirus at Age 41
- RI Reports 38 Deaths, More Than 3,500 New Coronavirus Cases Over Last 5 Days
- Coronavirus Deaths Mounting at RI Prisons, Another Victim Announced on Christmas Day
- As Rhode Island Restrictions Loosen, State Faces Among Highest Coronavirus Numbers in U.S.
- RI Reports 956 New Coronavirus Cases, 8 Additional Deaths—Watch Raimondo LIVE at 1 PM
- Quarantining With Coronavirus in Italy — “It’s a Crime for Us to Leave the House”
- Trump Orders British Travelers Must Test Negative for Coronavirus Before Entering U.S.
- Gilligan’s Island Star Dawn Wells Who Played Mary Ann Dies at 82 of Coronavirus
