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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
Licenses 8.B.
City Council Regular Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 03/23/2026
Agenda Item:
Review of Liquor License for Los Dos Primos Corp, DBA Los Dos Primos.
Recommendation/Action(s):
Adoption of the attached resolution, which includes a civil penalty of $2,000 and a minimum seven-day suspension, with the condition that if there is a fourth penalty before the expiration of the strikes at midnight on May 1, 2025, the license is revoked.
Summary:
Over the past 12 months, the following violations were reported at the licensed premises known as Los Dos Primos (2041 Blazing Star Drive):
May 1, 2025
On May 1, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m., police officers with the Department of Public Safety conducted a bar check at Los Dos Primos and observed numerous people who appeared to be under the age of 21 inside the establishment in possession of or consuming alcoholic beverages (ICR 2025-12289). Upon entry, officers encountered a chaotic scene in which numerous individuals attempted to flee or hide. Over 80 underage individuals were identified and 59 were cited for underage consumption of alcohol. During the investigation, individuals admitted to being served alcohol without showing identification, and it was learned that others presented vertical (under-21) ID’s or used fraudulent IDs to obtain alcohol. Staff made no attempt to confiscate the fraudulent IDs, stop serving alcohol, or to contact law enforcement.
Additionally, during post-incident interviews with staff members, they stated that they had never received city-approved alcohol server training and did not know how to identify fake IDs. This operational breakdown follows a previous failed compliance check in November 2023 in which alcohol was sold to an underage individual who displayed a valid under 21 ID. Following the failed compliance check, the Mankato Department of Public Safety proactively offered to provide alcohol server and fake ID training in both English and Spanish – a recommendation that Los Dos Primos declined. This incident constituted a violation of their liquor license agreement, Minnesota Statute, and the Mankato City Code. Note, a problem-solving conference occurred on May 27, 2025, to discuss the two strikes that were issued, and for all-staff training.
No appeal was filed. A $1,500 civil penalty was imposed, and due to the number of violations, involving both operational and management-level failures, two strikes were issued to the liquor license.
December 2, 2025
Recently, the city was informed by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety – Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division that Los Dos Primos obtained alcoholic beverages from another alcoholic beverage licensed retail account for resale at their location in violation of Minnesota Statute Chapter 340A.415 and Minnesota Rules Chapter 7515.0520.
No appeal was filed. A $500 civil penalty was imposed, and the liquor license was suspended for a period of three days: from 8 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, and ending at 8 a.m. on Sunday, January 11, 2026. This constituted a third strike being issued. The above incidents demonstrate multiple, significant violations of the Minnesota State Statute and Mankato City Code, including, Minnesota State Statute § 340A.503, underage consumption, entry into a license premise, and provision of alcohol to underage individuals; and Mankato City Code Sec. 3-160(8)(d), requiring responsible alcohol service, and ensuring staff are properly trained and knowledgeable of regulations.
Minnesota Statute §340A.415, authorizes the City Council to review, and revoke or suspend, a city-issued liquor license for violations of state laws or city ordinances relating to alcoholic beverages, the operation of the licensed establishment, or non-compliance with its Liquor License Agreement.
Mankato City Code, Sec. 3-164, states that a third strike within a twelve-month period requires review by the City Council, which may impose suspension, revocation, or additional conditions upon the liquor license.
In either case, the City Council may suspend up to 60 days, or revoke a liquor license, and impose a civil penalty for each violation.
Based on the above violations, the recommendation would be for payment of the penalty fee of $2,000, and the suspension of the liquor license for a minimum of seven days, with the condition that if there is a fourth penalty before the expiration of the strikes at midnight on May 1, 2025, the license is revoked.
May 1, 2025
On May 1, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m., police officers with the Department of Public Safety conducted a bar check at Los Dos Primos and observed numerous people who appeared to be under the age of 21 inside the establishment in possession of or consuming alcoholic beverages (ICR 2025-12289). Upon entry, officers encountered a chaotic scene in which numerous individuals attempted to flee or hide. Over 80 underage individuals were identified and 59 were cited for underage consumption of alcohol. During the investigation, individuals admitted to being served alcohol without showing identification, and it was learned that others presented vertical (under-21) ID’s or used fraudulent IDs to obtain alcohol. Staff made no attempt to confiscate the fraudulent IDs, stop serving alcohol, or to contact law enforcement.
Additionally, during post-incident interviews with staff members, they stated that they had never received city-approved alcohol server training and did not know how to identify fake IDs. This operational breakdown follows a previous failed compliance check in November 2023 in which alcohol was sold to an underage individual who displayed a valid under 21 ID. Following the failed compliance check, the Mankato Department of Public Safety proactively offered to provide alcohol server and fake ID training in both English and Spanish – a recommendation that Los Dos Primos declined. This incident constituted a violation of their liquor license agreement, Minnesota Statute, and the Mankato City Code. Note, a problem-solving conference occurred on May 27, 2025, to discuss the two strikes that were issued, and for all-staff training.
No appeal was filed. A $1,500 civil penalty was imposed, and due to the number of violations, involving both operational and management-level failures, two strikes were issued to the liquor license.
December 2, 2025
Recently, the city was informed by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety – Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division that Los Dos Primos obtained alcoholic beverages from another alcoholic beverage licensed retail account for resale at their location in violation of Minnesota Statute Chapter 340A.415 and Minnesota Rules Chapter 7515.0520.
No appeal was filed. A $500 civil penalty was imposed, and the liquor license was suspended for a period of three days: from 8 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, and ending at 8 a.m. on Sunday, January 11, 2026. This constituted a third strike being issued. The above incidents demonstrate multiple, significant violations of the Minnesota State Statute and Mankato City Code, including, Minnesota State Statute § 340A.503, underage consumption, entry into a license premise, and provision of alcohol to underage individuals; and Mankato City Code Sec. 3-160(8)(d), requiring responsible alcohol service, and ensuring staff are properly trained and knowledgeable of regulations.
Minnesota Statute §340A.415, authorizes the City Council to review, and revoke or suspend, a city-issued liquor license for violations of state laws or city ordinances relating to alcoholic beverages, the operation of the licensed establishment, or non-compliance with its Liquor License Agreement.
Mankato City Code, Sec. 3-164, states that a third strike within a twelve-month period requires review by the City Council, which may impose suspension, revocation, or additional conditions upon the liquor license.
In either case, the City Council may suspend up to 60 days, or revoke a liquor license, and impose a civil penalty for each violation.
Based on the above violations, the recommendation would be for payment of the penalty fee of $2,000, and the suspension of the liquor license for a minimum of seven days, with the condition that if there is a fourth penalty before the expiration of the strikes at midnight on May 1, 2025, the license is revoked.