Jesse Watlington, owner of Bleu Fox Cheese Shop, has been open on E. Main Street, and serving beer, sandwiches and cheese plates in a 600-square-foot building. When a larger space became available at 342 E. Main St., he told the beer board members that he took advantage of it because he might not get the chance again in the fast-growing area.
The shop is merely moving down the street 40 feet, he said, with the same staff.
More customers have been sitting down to eat, he said, so now the larger, 2,000 square foot space is needed. Because of the new address, a new consumer / carry-out permit was needed.
Mr. Burrito Grill, a new independent, Mexican Chipotle style restaurant, serving tacos and regular Mexican fare and bottled beer, is open at 517 M.L King Blvd. in Suite 200. The manager was given a consumer beer license at the Thursday morning beer board meeting. People will pass through a line to order food and the person at the register will take the drink order and check the ID. This will be considered mostly a restaurant, not a bar, with beer sales projected to be just about two percent of the total sales. There are about seven – eight tables inside and two outside. The business will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m.
Mary’s Bar and Grill, 2125 McCallie Ave., will be opening in the previous location of Mary’s Lounge. Willie Gholston, one of the owners, told the board that he wanted to get a beer license before making decisions about how to set up the restaurant / bar which is being remodeled. After 8 p.m. only people age 30 and up will be allowed to enter. It will be a no smoking facility with an occupancy of 230.
When asked what was going on at his new business, Long Branch, 4904 Rossville Blvd., owner Michael Fletcher responded, “Drinking a few beers and eating chips, that’s about it.” The bar has an occupancy under 100 and will sell only pre-packaged food.
Hutton and Smith’s 4th Anniversary celebration will take place on June 22 from noon until 12 a.m.in the fenced-in area surrounding the production facility at 3108 Riverside Dr.
Melanie Krautstrunk, owner of the business, said a number of new beers will be released and there will be a live band. Doors open at noon and will close around 11 p.m. Police will be present to check IDs and wristband customers.
Two convenience stores were approved for beer licenses. One of those, Grove Street Market, 1221 Grove St., Suite 101, is in a location that has been prone to problems. It is located near College Hills Court Attorney Doug Cox spoke to the board on behalf of the new owner Nagi Saleh. He said that Mr. Saleh has worked at the store for the past five months and is familiar with the problems and was there during some of the times there were issues involving the police. He assured the board members that congregating outside, which is one of the past problems, leading to others, would not be allowed. In addition to having experience at this location, Mr. Saleh also operates the Eastside Market. Hours of operation for the convenience store is from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. during the week and on weekends, from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Tony Dailey and his wife Paula have bought a convenience store at 909 Dodson Ave. and changed the name to D. Market. She told the Beer Board that she had worked there for the previous owners for 13 years and was very familiar with how to conduct beer sales. The store has a point of sales system to check IDs, but she was warned by board member Trevor Atchley that employees can enter false dates just to make an alcohol sale or over-ride the system. The business is open seven days a week.
Assistant City Attorney Keith Reisman announced that Board Chairman Ron Smith has been reappointed to serve on the Beer Board for three more years beginning July 31. Trevor Atchley has two more years to serve his three-year appointment. Mr. Reisman said the mayor’s office is diligently working to fill two vacant positions.