January 8th, 2026 by WCBC Radio

The Cumberland Mayor and City Council took action on Tuesday evening to revoke an outdoor seating lease for a downtown restaurant. The outside seating located in Merchants Alley behind Uncle Jack’s bar and restaurant will no longer be available.  Mayor Ray Morriss said the decision was made in collaboration with the liquor board…

 

“Unfortunately, some incidents over there later in the evening with some fights. And we’ve been dealing with the liquor board also. From my understanding, the liquor board has seen that people are actually bringing their own liquor in and then sitting back there in that area.”

The removal of seating is a first step in attempting to curb the sometimes violent activities going on in that area, according to City Administrator Jeff Silka…

   

“We figured that’s one way to abate the nuisance is to remove the outdoor lease and remove those seatings back in the parking lot.”