The Marabu nightclub in Lawrence was ordered this week to surrender its liquor license for 5 days for a second time in just two weeks after officials accused its owner of persistently violating liquor laws, building codes and noise regulations, and thwarting the police and inspectors who show up to enforce them, reported the Eagle Tribune.
“We’ve done so much to try to help her and it just gets thrown back in our faces, like we’re clowns,” Licensing Board Chairman Richard Fielding said just before the board’s unanimous vote. He referred to Nereyda Trempe, the owner of the popular Union Street club, who listened tearfully in the small hearing room. “We’re just fed up,” Fielding said.
The Licensing Board ordered Trempe to surrender her liquor license after reviewing a police report describing a May 9 incident when four men allegedly blocked traffic as the bar was closing and then skirmished with police who asked them to move on. At least one of the four is a minor who allegedly had been drinking inside the bar.
Sgt. Michael Simard reported suffering a knee injury as he struggled with one of the men, Rosalito Tejada of North Andover, who was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and assault and battery on a police officer.
The board’s vote to suspend Marabu’s liquor license was its second in two weeks. On May 25, the board ordered the bar closed June 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11 after finding Trempe had built a deck outside the club without approval from the Building Department or the Licensing Board and ignored three orders by police to close it.
Trempe appealed the suspension to the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission on May 31, one day before it was to take effect, which allows the bar to remain open until the appeal can be heard.
