Prosperity Farm Bar and Events Shut Down Indefinitely Over Missing Health, Fire and Business Approvals

ST. CROIX — Prosperity Farm’s bar, food-service and event operations were shut down indefinitely on Saturday after government regulators found that the venue lacked a health permit and required Fire/EMS approval and was conducting activities outside the scope of its commercial farming license, according to V.I. Department of Health and Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs officials interviewed by the Consortium Sunday morning. The action does not appear to amount to a shutdown of Prosperity Farm’s agricultural operation or, based on what either commissioner told the Consortium, an order halting the production or distillation of spirits itself. Instead, Saturday’s enforcement action targeted the public-facing activities that have become a central point of contention between Prosperity Farm and territorial regulators: serving food and alcohol, operating a bar and hosting events. Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion said the enforcement action involved both DOH and DLCA, descri...