Aloft Chattanooga Hamilton Place, with a grand opening slated for next Tuesday, applied to the Chattanooga Beer Board for both a consumer and carry-out beer permit. There are plans to sell beer in two locations in the hotel - the roof top bar and restaurant as well as from a sundry store in the lobby.
The Beer Board approved sales from the restaurant area, but withheld approval for sales out of the lobby space.
Attorney Derrick Terry, representing the hotel, was unable to answer questions from the board relating to the take-out portion of the beer application.
The intent of beer being sold in the lobby is for a hotel guest to be able to take it to their room, not to function as a convenience store, it was stated. The board members were concerned, however, that customers who are not registered guests could buy beer from the lobby and walk out. And the attorney was not clear if the lobby servers would be certified in alcohol sales.
The board approved the consumer portion of the license that will allow sales in the roof top restaurant and bar, but postponed approval of carryout sales from the lobby until they get clarification at the next beer board meeting. Assistant City Attorney with the Chattanooga Beer Board Melinda Foster asked attorney Terry to bring either the owner or manager of the hotel to the next meeting so they can give definitive answers to the board’s questions.
Odells on the Go, 3031 Cummings Highway, is a “get-and-go” neighborhood convenience store that sells sandwiches to take out. There is no dining in at this business. The new owners are Thomas and Cullen Capley, unrelated to the Odell family who were the original, long time owners, said Mr. Capley, but the name is being retained.
Hours will be from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. and maybe open on weekends until 10:30 p.m. The business will be able to sell canned beer to go along with the take-out food, after receiving a carry-out license.