Merrill's Place, a restaurant/bar on Epping Road, recently closed. A new breakfast/lunch place called Snooky's has replaced it.

Merrill's Place closed after it faced punishment from the New Hampshire Liquor Commission for allegedly overserving a customer who police said was involved in a serious hit-and-run crash last year.

It was not clear if the punishment was a reason for the closure. The restaurant's ownership could not be reached for comment Monday. Merrill's Place, which served breakfast, lunch, and dinner, was previously located in Portsmouth before it moved to Exeter

The alleged overserving incident involed involved a 69-year-old man from North Hampton who has since passed away. Police said the man drank at the bar, even though he was "visibly intoxicated." He then drove off, police said, and a few minutes later slammed into a bicyclist on Epping Road. He didn't stop to help the man and drove away, police said.

The bicyclist suffered a broken back and serious head injuries.

Merrill's Place had faced the following punishments from the liquor commission:

• $750 in fines
• Four points assessed against its liquor license
• A three-day liquor license suspension that will be held in abeyance pending no further violations
• Mandatory alcohol management training for staff

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