The Youth Empowerment Society was organized by the Hamilton County Coalition. Calandra Smith is the Prevention and Safety Coordinator. She conducts training for responsible beer sales. She is on the far right. The beer board members are standing behind the group.
photo by Gail Perry
The city beer board was told Thursday that a Circle K clerk had tried to alert others store about an underage beer sales sting that was going on that day.
During a series of underage beer sales compliance checks made on March 9, an underage buyer was sent into the Circle K store #3540, 1182 Mountain Creek Road. Officer Marty Ray with the Sheriff’s Department was acting on a tip from Chattanooga Police Officer John Collins that he had heard underage sales had been taking place in that store.
When an underage buyer paid for a beer, that night, the clerk did not ask to see an ID and completed the sale.
Todd Brown, the market district manager, was called and after seeing a recording of the transaction, terminated the clerk on the spot. She had worked there nine months and had undergone all of the training required by Circle K. When the officers talked to her after the sale, she said she had just made a mistake, however a date is required in the register to complete the sale of alcohol, and Mr. Brown said she must have used either her own birthday or a random date. In sessions court, the clerk was put on probation for six months and required to perform two days of community service plus paying the court costs.
After the incident, the sheriff’s office received a text message saying that a clerk at the store recognized the buyer, found his Facebook page and picture, then sent the picture to all Circle K stores where the picture was posted along with the message that he was undercover and to not to sell beer to him.
As a penalty, the beer license for this business was suspended for 10 days starting June 23 through July 2. Assistant City Attorney Keith Reisman asked Mr. Brown to make sure that the buyer’s picture is not in any of the stores in Chattanooga.
Officer Collins shared more information with Sheriff Ray about another business, Mimi Mini Market, 2304 Glass St. The sheriff followed up on the tip with another compliance check made on January 9. The clerk at the cash register asked for and looked at an ID from the underage buyer, but made the sale anyway. The owner was in the store at the time and did not dispute what happened. The clerk was terminated the same day it happened. Since then, the owner of the business, Imad Rassas, has been the sole employee. His store was given the penalty of a 10 day suspension beginning on June 23 through July 2.
Ashok Thakur, owner of Smoke Mania, 4767 Highway 58, applied for a new beer permit because his store has a new location. An issue from the past prevented issuing him a new beer license until after Mr. Reisman verifies a state law. The store sells cigarettes, cigars and tobacco to roll, but four years ago the store was raided and a product that was being sold was classified as an “analogue” or synthetic drug. Mr. Thakur pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drug possession and was given probation that he finished in 2014, it was stated.
Attorney Reisman said there are state laws concerning conditions that may disqualify a person convicted of selling drugs, from receiving a beer permit. Mr. Thakur will need to reappear at the July 7 meeting of the beer board to find if he is eligible to receive a license after Mr. Resiman researches the specifics of the state laws.
Bros Tobacco & More was approved for a beer license for the store that will also sell snacks, novelties and tobacco. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Chuy’s, 2271 Gunbarrel Road, is a new Tex-Mex restaurant coming to Chattanooga. This will be the 76th location for the chain. Christine Bailey, general manager, said all foods are freshly prepared in the kitchen. She described it as Mexican with a Texas flair. Hours will be 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and it will be open to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Three special events are planned in Chattanooga that will be able to serve beer since special events permits were issued from the beer board. Jenny Berz who is the race director for the Chattanooga Water Triathlon, sponsored by the Chattanooga Track Club, said the race has taken place for the past 25 years. On Friday night, June 24 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. a party with food and beer will be given for the volunteers in three tents set up at Ross’s Landing. The race is on Sunday, June 26 starting at 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. After the race, food and beer will be offered. Beer will be limited to two for each participant each day. Around 1,200 racers are expected to take part in the triathlon where they will swim in the Tennessee River, ride on Highway 27, and run on the Riverwalk.
Hutton and Smith, 431 M.L. King Blvd, a craft brewery, will have a first-year anniversary party on June 25 from noon to midnight. It will be held in an empty, fenced in lot that is adjacent to the business. The event is for ages 21 and above. The food will be catered.
Carla Pritchard with Chattanooga Presents is organizing the July 3 event Pops on the River, in Coolidge Park. It will begin at 5 p.m. with “Operation Song,” where veterans tell their own stories through songs that are written in collaboration with songwriters from Nashville. This portion of the evening will end around 7 so the Chattanooga Symphony can set up for their show that starts at 8 p.m. ending at 10 p.m. People are allowed to bring picnics or food vendors and a beer tent will be available. The event is sponsored in part, with the City of Chattanooga.
Calandra Smith with the Hamilton County Coalition brought a group of young people who are in the “Youth Empowerment Society” to observe the beer board meeting. They have been trained in drug and alcohol prevention and work at the different Chattanooga rec centers doing peer-to peer training about the substances.