An out of control party that closed a city street and required the help of Chattanooga Police from three districts was not enough for the Chattanooga Beer Board to issue a penalty. On Sept. 6, police responded to a fight at a catered Labor Day party held at the Chattanooga Inn, 2000 E. 23rd St., an extended stay motel with an event hall and restaurant. At 2:25 a.m., about the time the event should have been ending, a fight broke out.
A police officer who responded to the call said there was a very large crowd.
Cars were unable to leave because of the manner in which they were parked in several lots around the area. This caused heavy traffic that completely closed down East. 23rd Street. To help with the jam, officers from downtown and Brainerd were called to help. It was estimated that in all, around a dozen or more officers were involved.
As they were able to leave the original party, the crowd relocated to other parking lots of nearby businesses that were closed on Third Street. “They just moved together,” said another policeman who was involved. While this was going on, a pedestrian was struck by a car and there was a car crash, both attributed to the crowd from the party. It was “totally out of control,” a lieutenant said.
The city codes inspector told the board the legal capacity at the Chattanooga Inn is 299 for the event hall and 125 for the adjoining restaurant. When both are utilized, the space can accommodate 424 people. The officers said the crowd exceeded capacity, but Renita Johnson said she witnessed the line being cut off at 298.
Ms. Johnson and her husband, owners of Lemont’s Catering, moved their business from a previous location at Dodds Avenue and Main Street in the last year. Their business is now based out of the Chattanooga Inn, where Ms. Johnson told the board that she also manages the kitchen, although she later stated that the restaurant is closed. She said her usual customers are churches and weddings, and this party was an exception. The police said during the summer, similar events have been taking place two or three times per month.
The caterer, in this case, would be required not only to have a caterer’s beer permit, but also an on-premise beer license since it occurred at their own location. Lamont’s had neither. The business never reapplied, as required, when its address changed, and there was no consumer license for the Chattanooga Inn. Ms. Johnson said she had notified the ABC board that regulates the sale of alcohol, but not the city, when they moved. But, she said that no beer had been sold at the party Sept. 6.
Lemont’s Catering had been sent a warning letter from the beer board on Sept. 18, 2014, and was given a written reprimand on March 3, 2015, both for failing to notify the Regulatory Bureau of a scheduled event before it took place. Beer Board member Andre Harriman said that the board is hearing the same excuses now that they did then, of being unaware or not understanding requirements for having a license. He said, “It is an applicant’s responsibility to read and understand the beer code, and that ignorance is no excuse.”
He also said that the 12 police officers used to control the people from the catered event, used enormous city resources that are paid by taxpayers and that it sounded as if she used the Chattanooga Police for security as opposed to providing private guards.
Vice President of the Ridgedale and Oak Grove Neighborhood Associations Gary Ball told the board that “This is a shell game. These people all know what they’re doing. At least it has moved from behind my business.” He said that now it will just be moved to someone else’s neighborhood. “She’s laughing at all of us now, telling a group of intelligent people that only 298 people were there. You must have something you can revoke,” he said.
Chairman of the board Ron Smith said that the beer board cannot rule on this matter because she had no valid beer license. He told Ms. Johnson that she cannot sell beer anywhere in Chattanooga until she comes back to apply for a permit.
As Bi-Lo grocery stores transition to Food City stores, they are required to get new carry-out beer permits. At the meeting Thursday, stores located at 7804 E. Brainerd Road, 703 Signal Mountain Blvd., 1600 E. 23rd St., 6951 Lee Highway, 4011 Brainerd Road and 9213 Lee Highway got new licenses.
Fiesta Mexicana, a new business at 4021 Hixson Pike, was also given permission to sell beer with the requirement that the restaurant be closed by 11 p.m. since it is in close proximity to a residential subdivision.
Carla Pritchard with Chattanooga Presents was given three permits for coming events. Best Town Ever will be held at Miller Plaza on Sept. 25 from 5-10 p.m. She said it would feel like a nightfall concert, minus the motorcycles. This is the first time for the event that will celebrate Chattanooga residents voting for the city to win the Best Town Ever award from Outdoor magazine. The 3 Sister’s Festival at Ross’s Landing will take place on Oct. 2 from 5-11 p.m. and Oct. 3 from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. On Oct. 4, also at Ross’s Landing, will be Pride Festival from 12-8 p.m.
The Young Professionals of Greater Chattanooga will hold “Southern Soiree” at Miller Plaza on Oct. 2 from 8-11 p.m. There will be food and music with around 200 expected. On Sept. 18 AVA will host a kick-off party for Capture at the Tech Town Building on Market Street, previously known as the Life Style Foundation Building. Editors and music teams that will be participating in the Capture a Community film making event this weekend are invited. The finale will be on Sunday in the parking lot of the Majestic Theater.