The Ohio Department of Liquor Control has forced Saks Fifth Ave. to stop serving drinks to customers in the new Men's Living Room in its Cincinnati store.
The lounge in the men's suit department, part of a $6 million renovation of the Saks store in downtown Cincinnati, had been designed with a number of amenities, one of which was free drinks to customers while they shopped.
But after a visit from a Cincinnati vice officer and the Ohio Department of Liquor Control, authorities informed Saks management that it is against state law to give away liquor in connection with the operation of a business and asked them to end the practice.
The retailer agreed to end the practice and said liquor would be served in the lounge only at events catered by licensed vendors.
No Saks officials were charged with violations.