Responding to tips and complaints about illegal activity from neighbors, Chattanooga Police executed a search warrant on B&W Snacks, 2716 Dodson Ave. Chattanooga Police Officer John Collins told the Beer Board on Thursday morning that evidence of gambling was found all over the building. Over $2,600 in cash was sitting alongside multiple tip books and illegal lottery tickets scattered around in various locations and physically on Charles Roberts, the owner of the business, and in his car.
This is actually the third time that Roberts has been arrested for illegal gambling, said Officer Collins.
Additionally, the business only has a license to sell carry-out beer, when it actually has been operating as a bar, serving customers in the establishment, which requires a consumer license. The charge being heard Thursday morning was only about gambling, so the license issue had no bearing on the decision Thursday, said Chairman of the Beer Board Christopher Keene. If Roberts is cited for this offense at a later date, he will face that charge, as well, he said.
When asked for his input, Roberts said, “I’m here to accept my penalties, gambling paraphernalia was in the place.” He later claimed that what was found in the building did not belong to him.
When considering the testimony to decide the penalty, board member Ron Smith noted that the community surrounding the bar was concerned. Member Joe Ramsey said the residents should have come to the meeting to tell the board in person. Andre Harriman replied that a lot of people do not come because of fear of retaliation. The board settled on issuing a 10-day suspension of the beer license to B&W Snacks that will begin on Sept. 22, along with instructions that a consumer beer permit is required if he wants to continue using the location as a bar.
A new large dance club with music from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s is opening at 1966 Northpoint Blvd., Suite 126. Flashbacks Bar & Grill will have a capacity of 544, including the staff and band members. There will be two doormen at all times and other security walking around the building. Owner Libby Anne Stamey told the board the club would be for customers 21 and up, and there would be a cover charge at the door to weed out riff raff. No weapons and no smoking will be allowed, there will be a dress code and it will be a very clean, safe environment, she said. For entertainment, there will be live bands, karaoke, DJs and dancing. IDs will be scanned at the door and hands stamped, and when people come in to pay, they will be checked again before being given a wrist band. The vote was unanimous to issue a beer permit, but with the warning to keep track of the occupancy of such a large venue. The business will be open Wednesday-Saturday and possibly Sundays for football games. The building is in a C-2 zone that requires closing at 11 p.m. unless a special exemption is gotten from the Chattanooga City Council.
Adelle’s Ice Cream Creperie, operating within the Grand Falloon event venue, 400 East Main St., already has a beer permit for the store. The new application was for a caterer’s beer permit. Mr. Keene said that the owner of the business, Carla Pritchard, has been before the board many times. “If you can do Nightfall, you can do this,” he said. The vote was unanimous to approve the new license.
Carry-Out beer permits were given to two convenience stores, Citgo/Spur Market, 6802 Middle Valley Road, and to Shivshakti 1 Corporation, 3410 Brainerd Road.
This will be the fifth year for The Rooftop Hop, a fundraiser for GreenSpaces. The event will take place at five different locations, The Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St., Walnut Commons, 212 Walnut St., The Edney, 1100 Market St., Roots Rated, 1269 Market St. and CARTA North, 215 Broad St., all on Sept. 24, from 5-9 p.m. The organizers will provide transportation between the different buildings among which the people can move. A single wristband will get them into all five locations. The main difference this year, said Dawn Hjelseth, director of development for GreenSpaces, is that only 300 people will participate this year as opposed to 800 previously. The reason is “mission related,” she said because it is easier to teach a smaller group about what GreenSpaces does.
Taft Sibley, secretary of the board of directors for the North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy, received a special events beer permit for the annual fundraiser Chickstock. It will take place at Greenway Farms, 5051 Gann Store Road, on Sept. 17 from 1-9 p.m. There will be children’s activities, great sponsors and vendors, and hikes will be led by Boy Scouts, said Mr. Sibley. A $5 donation will be requested at the entrance and between 1,000 and 1,500 people are expected, depending on the weather.
Another fundraising event will take place at Reflection Riding Arboretum, 400 Garden Road, on Sept. 18. Floatila will start at Coolidge Park and people will float to Reflection Riding along Lookout Creek. No more than 400 people are expected, said Executive Director Larry Zehnder. The event will start at 2 p.m. and people are expected to be at Reflection Riding around 4 p.m. until it ends at 8 p.m.
On Sept 24 the DeFoor Brothers, LLC will host a benefit for WTCI at Broad, Chestnut and 8th Streets so the station can continue its quality broadcasting. Invitations have been sent to 500 people. Streets will be closed with barricades and security guards will be present at the event that will be from 6:30-12 p.m.
The regional director for Ducks Unlimited, Charlie Lowery, received a special events beer license for the organization’s annual banquet. It will be held at Stratton Hall, 3146 Broad St., on Sept. 22 from 6-10 p.m. He said 250 people are expected for the meal and live auction.
Shaquille Ryan Robinson was given a beer permit for his wedding reception that will be Oct. 1 at Coolidge Park, 15 River St., from 4-10 p.m. There will be two police officers present and wristbands to prevent individuals from the public from crashing the party.