APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Chadwick’s bar on College Avenue may be paying the price for multiple underage violations, but some say that’s reflective of a larger issue plaguing the area.
“The ability for minors to get legitimate looking IDs has increased and become far easier,” Alderperson Alex Schultz said.
On Wednesday, the Appleton Common Council approved a recommendation to suspend Chadwick’s liquor license for 10 days. They hope it brings more awareness to the issues of underage drinking and the prevalence of fake IDs.
“We’re willing to do whatever we need to do,” bar co-owner Jen Thomas said. “We don’t want this problem at all, so we are doing everything possible to get rid of these kids.”
Thomas and co-owner Phil Carroll have explained the situation to the city’s safety and licensing committee at two previous meetings.
Carroll pointed out that sophisticated fake IDs have become difficult for bouncers to catch. He has since invested in a scanner that will catch more fakes.
“It will tell you in bold print if the ID is good or not. And it usually will catch 85% to 90% of fake IDs.”
The bar’s upgrade is a move that Schultz has commended.
“Easy access, easily done. Pay the fee, get in. It’s far different than when I was at that age trying to get into a bar.”
Others on the board have previously expressed concern for the bar’s reputation.
“This place has been known, from what I’ve heard from some people, as a place, if you’re underage, to get alcohol,” Alderperson Bill Siebers said.
The Appleton Police Department has also put a focus on making sure everyone at the bars is of age. But that isn’t limited to just Chadwick’s.
“Our officers do frequent walkthroughs through our downtown establishments,” Appleton Police Chief Polly Olson said. “Making sure the ordinances are being appropriately enforced.”
Olson says checks like the ones that occurred at Chadwick’s are routine for bars in Appleton, and she agrees that there’s more to the story than what’s happening at there.
“Sometimes establishments have liquor license violations that they then have to serve penalties for — but I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a frequent thing.”
One of Chadwick’s three instances involved an undercover officer ordering a drink at the bar. The others occurred when police responded to unrelated incidents and noticed patrons who appeared underage.
The city of Appleton and Chadwick’s bar both previously agreed to the suspension. It will take effect May 14 and run through May 23.
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