The Majestic 12 Cinema at 311 Broad St. was approved Thursday by the Chattanooga Beer Board for beer sales in their VIP auditorium and for other auditoriums for special events. The Majestic 12 Cinema, operated by Eastwynn Theatres, Inc. is replacing the Bijou Theatre which will become commercial space. Both theatres are associated with Carmike Cinemas, Inc.
Fred Van Noy, speaking for the theatre, told the board one auditorium has been designated the VIP area. Only patrons 21 years old and up will be allowed into the auditorium. Seating in the VIP area will cost more than tickets to other auditoriums, he said.
The VIP auditorium, Mr. Van Noy said, will have reclining chairs with built-in tables and will be served from a kitchen separate from the concession area. Sandwiches, large-sized appetizers and other food items will be on the menu. All beer, other beverages, and food will be priced individually.
Mr. Van Noy said patrons desiring to sit in the VIP auditorium must show proof of age to enter and will be asked again when purchasing beer. No one under age 21 will be allowed in the VIP area even if they are with someone who is over 21, he said. Beer sales will be cut-off 30 to 45 minutes before the end of the movie or event.
The purpose of the VIP auditorium, Mr. Van Noy said is to appeal to and recapture the mature adult who may have given up on the theatre experience for whatever reason.
“We now are an entertainment complex instead of a movie theatre,” Mr. Van Noy said. It will be possible to use the VIP auditorium as well as the other auditoriums for showing select sporting events, for example, at premium pricing. For that reason, he told the board, the permit would be used to sell beer for consumption in all auditoriums on those special occasions.
Board attorney, Ken Fritz told Mr. Van Noy to be aware of the beer ordinance requirements for movie theatres. The ordinance requires the preparation and serving of at least one meal per week, he said. Mr. Fritz also said that certain movies are not allowed to be shown when beer sales are allowed.
Mr. Van Noy answered that he is aware of all the requirements in the city ordinance.
Board member Christopher Keene commended Mr. Van Noy for the effort shown by his company to bring this venue to Chattanooga. He made a motion to approve the application.
The board unanimously approved the application.
There were no violations of the beer ordinance on the agenda.
Other applications for beer licenses were approved for:
Irvin Thane Rice and Michelle Lynn Rice
The Melting Pot
2553 Lifestyle Way
Jackie Onate
El Metate
5922 Hixson Pike
Gregory Beairsto and Jeffery Brakebill
Crust Pizza
3211 Broad St.
Ashley Krey and Teresa Johnson
Sluggo’s North Vegetarian Café
501 Cherokee Blvd.
John Phillips Childs
Miss Lynn’s Country Kitchen
3805 Hixson Pike
James Wesley Morgan
Palomino Steakhouse & Saloon
2620-1/2 Rossville Blvd.
Two special event licenses were approved for:
Charles C. Pruett, Jr.
Greenlife Grocery
Renaissance Oktober Fest
150 River St. (Renaissance Park)
Oct. 24, 2009 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Ryan Patrick Hedrickson
Big River Grille & Brewing Works
Renaissance Oktober Fest
Coolidge Park and Walnut Street Bridge
Oct. 24, 2009 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Dana Wilbourn
dbwilbourn@yahoo.com