Compliance checks performed by the Tennessee Alcohol Beverage Commission have turned up multiple businesses that sold beer to a minor. At the Thursday morning meeting of the Chattanooga Beer Board, three restaurants caught in the undercover operations lost their right to sell beer by the suspension of their beer licenses.
The TABC conducts follow-up checks once a first violation is found during a check.
If a second infraction is found, the violation is automatically referred to the local beer board. When that is done, if the beer board also decides to penalize the business, it is required to match the punishment given by the state.
On Jan. 26, at a TABC compliance check, El Matador #4, 9203 Lee Highway, a server checked the ID of an underage buyer but sold a beer anyway. The first offense occurred in September, 2015. Since January, the restaurant has been caught serving a minor for a third time. That violation will be considered at a future meeting.
Attorney for El Matador, Kevin Wilson, conceded the violation because of requirements of the state law. The penalty will mirror the 30-day suspension of its liquor license and it will not be allowed to sell beer from May 5 until June 11.
Big River Grill & Brewing Works, 2020 Hamilton Place Blvd., was also caught selling beer to a minor. This occurred on March 16 during another TABC compliance check. It was the second violation for underage sales in a year and a half. In this case, a trainee checked that ID when the server that was supervising, temporarily left. As a result, the restaurant put a series of measures in place to prevent underage sales in the future, including termination of both employees involved. The restaurant will lose its beer permit for 10 days beginning May 9 through May 18.
On March 30 during another check, Famous Daves, 2122 Gunbarrel Road, served beer to a minor undercover customer. The business sent no representative to protest the penalty with the understanding of what it would be. This business was penalized with a license suspension of 10 days, from May 5-18.
Calandra Smith from the Hamilton County Coalition, which participates in compliance checks in Chattanooga along with the Chattanooga Police Department, told the applicants for new beer permits that they are responsible for preventing underage sales including hiring responsible employees. In the past two weeks, she said, five underage sales were detected during 13 compliance checks the first week, and two stores sold beer to a minor out of 17 businesses checked the second week.
T
he Fresh Market #22, 2288 Gunbarrel Road, was required to apply for a new beer license because of a change of ownership from a publicly owned company to a privately owned company.
The Nightfall series of concerts begins Friday night. The Bessie Smith Cultural Center applied for and was given a special events beer license for the nights of May 6 through June 3 where beer will be sold on the lawn in front of the building. Wristbands and beer sales will be handled by employees of the Bessie Smith Hall and volunteers will help with beer and soda sales.
Jonathon Sussman was given a beer license on behalf of the Tennessee Whiskey Festival that will take place at Finley Stadium on May 21 from 5:30–11 p.m. The event that will have 20 whisky distillers that will offer only tastings is a fundraiser for the Hart Gallery. General admission tickets will also be available that do not include whisky. Beer and other bar drinks will be sold and there will be a “wing” competition.
The Chattanooga Chase sponsored by the Chattanooga Track Club will take place May 30. A party for the event will be from 8 a.m. until noon at the Vine Street Market, 1313 Hanover St. Each participant will be allowed one sample only from the Chattanooga Whisky and Brewing Company.