No alcohol at Champps

October 16, 2007
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ChamppsChampps near The Fashion Mall at Keystone can't serve alcohol for 15 days because of an excise violation in 2005. The suspension is part of an agreement the restaurant reached with the state for serving an intoxicated bar patron who was later involved in a fatal car wreck. The agreement calls for a 30-day suspension, with 15 days deferred as long as the bar doesn't violate any more laws, said Dave Heath, chairman of the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission. Champps can begin serving alcohol again Friday. As part of the deal, the restaurant was cited eight times by excise police in September for alcohol infractions and was fined $2,000. The violations included serving a minor and an intoxicated person.
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  • Erich R. H. (indiexinxindy)October 16, 2007 3:54 PM
    That parking lot between Champs & Saks ought to be built into some upscale 5 story condo and/or apartment building!
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  • braingirlOctober 16, 2007 8:34 PM
    So when did the suspension start? This is the first I've heard of it and if it's supposed to be over on Friday, it sounds like it's been going on for two weeks now? Strange.
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  • NickOctober 17, 2007 7:49 AM
    I was in Champps after the Colts game a week ago Sunday and it was DEAD. We didn't know of the suspension, so we were surprised when we pulled in and the parking lot was nearly empty. They have a sign on the door stating they were not serving alcohol. The hosts were also telling people before they sat them down. It was weird to see an empty bar with no bartenders. Of course it was still typical Champps-- slow service, average food. You would think they would have tried harder given their situation.
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  • DRTOctober 17, 2007 8:25 AM
    It's only a matter of time before the beer/liquor manufacturers will be held accountable as well.
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  • SteveOctober 17, 2007 9:25 AM
    Not really property news, but interesting nonetheless. As someone who deals with the consequences of drunk drivers for a living (I work at a personal injury law firm), its always nice to see the liquor laws being enforced.
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  • boss hogOctober 17, 2007 10:01 AM
    Champps has a very active policy for making sure their restaurants follow proper alcohol service. I'm surprised to hear of so many offenses from a single restaurant.
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  • FirewomanOctober 17, 2007 10:12 AM
    I still think ultimately, each individual is responsible for their own actions. Blaming bars for serving alcohol is taking the responsibility away from the individual that made the choice to drink and drive. I don't think it's fair, in a busy bar to put such responsibility on a server or bartender. Some people are more sober drunks and it's hard to say sometimes who is beyond the legal limit. Now if someone is flagrantly drunk, then by all means, do NOT serve them, but some people aren't that crazy when they drink and a server may not be able to judge who's had too much and who hasn't. Don't get me wrong, it's terrible that a person died as the result of someone else, but put the blame where it should be. The people that are paying for this crime, by Champs not serving for 15 days, are people who try to make a living on tips. They're the ones paying for this and they may not even have worked at Champs when this occurred. I think it's a silly punishment that is not really punishing the intended. If they must blame Champs, then have them pay some sort of restitution to the victim's family and leave it be. This kind of thing just seems... childish?
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  • Fishers galOctober 17, 2007 11:58 AM
    They seem to be trying to make lemonade out of lemons, though, because they're also doing a Kids Eat Free promo during this suspension. I didn't realize they were suspended, and my son and I went there last week and saw the notes on the door, which really made it sound like they weren't serving alcohol because of the kids promotion. It was pretty busy considering it was a Wednesday night and the weather was chilly.
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  • Bud ManOctober 17, 2007 12:42 PM
    The suspension is part of an agreement the restaurant reached with the state for serving an intoxicated bar patron who was later involved in a fatal car wreck. The agreement calls for a 30-day suspension, with 15 days deferred as long as the bar doesn’t violate any more laws, said Dave Heath, chairman of the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission. Champps can begin serving alcohol again Friday.


    I wonder if they walked the person to the car, started it up and put it in gear, like another very well known restaurant & bar did in the 1980's in Lafayette. That person drove down State Road 26 and plowed into a jogger, killing him.

    That business was fined a barrel of money, sued and finally shut down.

    15 day suspension is really a joke.
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  • posh spiceOctober 17, 2007 12:43 PM
    what I want to know is how Cory dug this story up. You're such a suave and talented reporter
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  • FlackOctober 17, 2007 4:32 PM
    Either that, or he missed his normal Friday night hangout.
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