Three decisions handed down by the Chattanooga Beer Board have appeals pending in Chancery Court, Assistant City Attorney Keith Reisman told City Beer Board members Thursday morning. Two penalties involve Southern Comfort and the third is a permanent revocation for JJ’s Lounge.
At the May 17 meeting of the board, the beer license held by Southern Comfort, 511 Broad St., was revoked for six days. The first violation for serving 12 shots to an already incapacitated customer resulted in a three-day suspension to run concurrently with a three-day suspension for failing to notify police of a fight involving three women in the ladies room.
The combined penalties were issued for May 24-May 29.
The board permanently revoked the beer license for JJ’s Lounge, 2208 Glass St., at the June 21 meeting, citing the establishment as a disorderly place. At that time, the board members acknowledged that the proprietor had complied with every suggestion the Beer Board had requested in an attempt to curb frequently occurring disorders. They concluded, however, that the environment surrounding the bar goes beyond the owners’ control and withdrew the beer permit.
A new violation of operating a disorderly place occurred at Southern Comfort on June 1. Attorney Arvin Reingold on behalf of owner Mark Chitwood came to the Thursday meeting where his request was granted for the hearing of this latest disturbance to be moved to the Aug. 2 meeting of the Beer Board.
Board member Ron Smith admonished the new applicants of their responsibility to stop the sales of alcohol to minors. He also emphasized that the holder of a license is required to be a good business citizen. It is up to the license holder to prevent any problems with their neighbors concerning parking, littering, blocking entrances and exits of other businesses, loitering and noise.
The Market Street Tavern, currently located at 809 Market St., represented by co-owner Aaron Long came to the meeting applying for a license due to relocation of the business. The new location is just across Market Street from the original location. Board member Kevin McKenna, asking why they were moving, told Mr. Long he liked the restaurant where it is now. “You’ll like the new one even better,” replied Mr. Long. He has been involved in the business five years and said he fully understands the regulations concerning the sale of alcohol and so was given a new license in a unanimous vote.
Rhonda Armstrong, district manager for Mapco Express, Inc., is responsible for 12 local Delta Express stores. She represented the company in requesting a new license because of a change of ownership and name change for stores at 4711 Brainerd Road, 3410 Brainerd Road and 3131 South Broad St. A beer license was issued to both the Brainerd Road stores. The application for the Broad Street location will be reviewed at the next board meeting on July 19 because the fire inspection had not yet been completed.
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