While doing bar checks in the area around Glass Street on the night of May 28, Officer John Collins and two patrol officers went to TRoy Lounge at 2300 Glass St. and were denied entry. The manager, Lisa Robinson, was standing outside the front door talking on the phone to Leroy Norwood, the owner, who told her it was an illegal search and to let no one in except the “beer inspector.” Office Collins said he told her that he was the beer inspector. The beer code allows police officers access to any portion of the building for inspections.
The manager claimed while pointing to Officer Collins, that “He cussed me out on my mama’s grave—she’s not dead.” Officer Collins replied “That’s a bold face lie.”
In the meantime, the customers saw police and all got up and left, said Officer Collins. By the time police gained entry, about five minutes had elapsed. Beer Board Member Andre Harriman suggested that during that time something could have been taken out the back door. Officer Collins replied that he thought it was very odd, because he had been there before and was admitted without a problem. He said that for some reason, they did not want him in that night.
The only thing wrong, that was found, were a couple of bottles of wine stored in the cooler behind the bar that Mr. Norwood claimed he was chilling for a customer. Even if “brown-bagging” is allowed in a business, it must be in the possession of the customer who brought it. “I didn’t see the harm, even though it was a violation,” said Mr. Norwood.
There are four bars within one and a half blocks, and those businesses pass warnings around when police are in the area making compliance checks. Jesse Burgess, owner of JJ’s bar came to the meeting to deny he turned in TRoy’s. “Those are neighborhood rumors and it’s not the board’s concern to be involved with gossip," said Board Member Christopher Keene, when dismissing him.
The bar had been penalized for the same violation of having alcohol behind the bar without an ABC license, in March 2015. The motion to suspend TRoy’s beer license for 15 days passed unanimously. It will start on July 14.
The Southside Social, 1818 was cited to the board meeting for the violation of overcrowding on the night of May 29. When the police officers saw a large crowd waiting outside the bar at 12:45 a.m. they asked to see the “clickers” that count people going in and coming out. The occupancy of the building is 490. More people are allowed outside in a courtyard area that has its own bar. The problem is that heads are counted upon entering the enclosed, exterior courtyard so there is no accurate way to count people who are inside the structure.
That night the clicker going in registered 1,100. The clicker going out registered 400, which left 700 people inside the building that has occupancy of 490. The officers stayed at the door until enough people left to ensure the safety of those inside.
The manager, John Tepley, denied overcrowding, but the board reasoned that by the time that the manager arrived later that night, some people had left while police monitored the situation. “We try to do it the best we can,” said Mr.Tepley. “That’s not going to cut it,” said Chairman of the Board Ron Smith. Dan Mayfield added that “this was a potential for a horrible disaster. That is most concerning for us.” For a penalty, the bar was given the option of serving a suspension of the beer license for three days or paying a $1,000 fine. If the suspension is chosen, it will begin on July 14. The incident will also be forwarded to the Tennessee ABC board which regulates alcohol and wine sales.
Genghis Grill, 138 Market St., was caught selling alcohol to an underage buyer for the second time, by the TABC board during a compliance check on Apr. 21. A second offense is automatically referred to the beer board. The beer board mirrored the ABC penalty and will suspend the beer permit for seven days starting July 14.
The owner of Smoke Mania, 4767 Hwy 58, Ashok Thakur, was closing for the night on Feb. 12, when he made one last sale. He said that he believed the buyer was over 21 and did not ask for an ID. This compliance check was being conducted by Hamilton County Sheriff Officer Marty Ray, who is now working in conjunction with Officer Collins. This was the second violation of an underage sale for the business; the first mistake was made by an employee. This one was made by the owner. A 30 day suspension of the beer license was issued to this store.
Champy’s is opening a second location in Chattanooga, this at 6925 Lee Hwy. Owner Seth Champion said it will be specializing in fried chicken and catfish and hot tamales at the restaurant that has a Mississippi Delta atmosphere. Hours are 10 a.m.-10 p.m. The restaurant has a parking agreement with surrounding businesses, who Mr. Champion said “are excite to have us there, to increase traffic in the area.”
Doc Holidays Bar & Grill, 742 Ashland Terrace, was given a license to sell beer during the hours from 10 a.m.-3 a.m. Smoke Stack, 5012 Hwy. 58 was given a license for carryout sales.
The Lookout Mountain Conservancy will hold a special fundraising event at the Crash Pad on July 14 from 5-9 p.m. Program director of the conservancy, Creech Hardee said that 110 tickets have been sold as of today and around 30-40 more are expected to be sold.
Carla Pritchard with Chattanooga Presents was given a special events permit for six more weeks of the Nightfall series of free Friday night concerts at Miller Plaza, from July 8 through Aug. 26. Beer sales will be allowed from 6-10 p.m. A special events permit will also allow beer sales at Riverfront Nights from July 16 through Aug. 6. These free concerts are held along the river in the location of Riverbend.
Operating as the Chattanooga Wrecker Board, a wrecker permit was given to Carter Gross, for Carter Towing. He already operates from three other locations that are the police rotation list. This new location will be 3656 Hixson Pike.