Kanku’s Express #4 was cited to the Chattanooga Beer Board meeting Thursday morning because of two violations. Chattanooga Police Officer John Collins saw no beer permit on display when he followed up a complaint that this business did not have a license displayed in a conspicuous location as is required by the city’s beer code. While investigating this issue, he discovered a discrepancy in the addresses for the beer, business, tax, and other licenses that this business has obtained.
The problems, said Jay Chaudhari, the supervisor for three Kanku’s in the Chattanooga area owned by Ramila Chaudhari, was because he had just not paid attention.
All licenses, except the one for selling beer, had an address of 2585 E. 23rd St. The address on the beer license was 2115 Dodds Ave. There has never been a customer entrance on 23rd Street. It was noted that this was a clerical error on the part of the city. After learning of the inconsistencies, Mr. Chaudhari, remedied the address problems and had all licenses changed to 2115 Dodds Ave.
Officer Collins found a copy of the beer permit on display on the second visit he made to the business. Mr. Chaudhari told the board that it had been found in the office, filed in an organizer with the other licenses. Vice Chairman of the board Christopher Keene reminded all present that the purpose of displaying a beer permit in a conspicuous place was so drivers from the beer distributors will know that it is legal to make the delivery. The manager was told it is permissible to display a copy as long as it specifies that the original can be found in the office. A letter of reprimand concerning the license was put in the official file for Kanku’s Express #4.
Three carry-out beer permits were approved Thursday morning. Walmart Neighborhood Market, 4110 Shallowford Road, will have a grand opening on Jan. 27. This location is one of the few Walmart Neighborhood Markets in the area that will have a convenience store in the parking lot, separate from the Murphy gas station. Beer will be sold both inside the large market as well as from the convenience store. The beer permit that was obtained will cover sales at both outlets. A copy of the license must be displayed at both locations.
Korner Market, 2328 Rossville Blvd., which sells beer and cigarettes, was given a new carry-out license because the business was being transferred to Eunsok No. The store had been owned for the past 10 years by her late husband. The location is closer to a church than 200 feet which is not allowed for a new business. However, Korner Market is “grandfathered” to sell beer since it was licensed to do so in the past.
A new convenience store, CJR Mart at 4817 Highway 58 that will sell food and tobacco but no gas, was approved for a license. Hours for this business are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Make-A-Wish East Tennessee will hold a special event at Stratton Hall, 3146 Broad St. on Feb. 7 from 6 p.m.-11 p.m. This is the 12th year for the event known as “Wish Bowl XII” which has previously been held at the Aquarium and IMAX Theater. Victoria Love Events will cater the fundraiser and be in charge of all beer sales. Attendance is expected to be 250-300.
The Wrecker Board, made up of members from the Beer Board, removed Lockwood’s Auto, a towing company at 2317 Bragg Ave., from the city’s rotation list on Jan. 7. This was because of an excessive pattern of accepting a call, then cancelling after too much time had elapsed. This is unacceptable, said Chairman of the Board Ron Smith, because quick response is needed in order to clear traffic. The city guidelines allow 30 minutes to open roads for a simple wreck or arrest.
Statistically, according to TDOT, when traffic backs up one mile there will be another wreck that causes a death due to the stopped traffic.
Longtime owner of the business, Ken Lockwood, was accompanied to the Wrecker Board meeting by John Raines, a recent employee of the business. Mr. Lockwood said that due to debilitating injuries caused by a wreck, he could no longer operate the business himself. He has been taking calls at his home from the city dispatcher and relayed the messages to Mr. Smith who works as the driver. Messages were not always being received in a timely manner, and one driver was not capable of responding to all the calls in the 30-minute time limit.
Mr. Raines told the board that his father has joined the business and there are now two drivers and two trucks. Mr. Lockwood was also told that calls should go directly to the drivers. The vice chairman told Mr. Raines to run this business as if it is your own. He advised him to take care of Mr. Lockwood, who is unable to take care of the business himself.