Alcohol Control Commission

ALCOHOL CONTROL COMMISSION Monday, October 16, 2023 The Alcohol Control Commission met at 5:00 p.m. this date in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall, 601 Broad Street. Billy Cooper, Steve VanMeter, Harold Morgan, Doug Phipps, Taylor McMichael, and Commissioner McDaniel were present. Also present were Rome Police Major Chris DeHart, and Sam Lucas, representing the City Attorney’s Office. Minutes – September 18, 2023 The minutes of the September 18, 2023, meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Cherokee Valley, LLC – Corner of Riverside Pkwy. & Riverside Industrial Drive On April 17, 2023, Mr. Sunil Mittal received approval from the Alcohol Control Commission for a new beer, wine & liquor package license for Cherokee Valley, LLC Liquor Store at the Corner of Riverside Parkway and Riverside Industrial Drive. Since ACC approvals are valid for six months and because this facility has not yet been constructed, Mr. Mittal was present at today’s meeting to request an extension of the ACC approval. Mr. Mittal explained that he has closed on the purchase of these parcels and is working now to begin construction. He expects construction to begin within the next few months and for construction to take approximately one year from the time of initiation. Mr. Mittal explained that this facility will be approximately 12,000 square feet. Mr. VanMeter moved to extend the approval for Cherokee Valley, LLC and their plan for a new beer, wine & liquor package outlet for an additional six months. Mr. Phipps seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Las Mesas Mexican Grill #2 – 1802 Redmond Circle, Suite B The application of Mr. Juan Aguirre, owner and manager of Las Mesas Mexican Grill #2, 1802 Redmond Circle, Suite B was presented. Mr. Aguirre requests that a new beer and wine pouring license be issued at that location. While Mr. Aguirre was present, a business associate spoke to the ACC on his behalf. It was explained that Mr. Aguirre is an experienced restaurant operator with involvement with Las Mesas Mexican Grill on Martha Berry Highway and Mi Alazan Restaurant in the Central Plaza Shopping Center. This new restaurant will be the smallest of the three, with approximately 25 tables. Hours of operation are planned for Monday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Employees at the new Las Mesas will be trained as employees at the original Las Mesas and Mi Alazan are trained, including online training. Mr. VanMeter moved to approve the beer and wine pouring license as requested. Mr. Phipps seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. 1 The Foundry Growler Station – 258 North 5th Avenue The application of Caress Cason, owner and manager of The Foundry Growler Station, 258 North 5th Avenue was presented. Ms. Cason explained that she has bought this business and will be transferring the existing beer and wine license and would like to add a new liquor pouring license. She explained that this facility has a kitchen, which she will be working toward making it more effective and efficient and anticipates the ability to meet Rome’s food/drink ratio. After renovations are complete, she expects to reopen this business in early December 2023. Ms. Cason explained her past experience with alcohol service, having worked for Jefferson’s Restaurants for several years. Among her duties were training and helping with opening new restaurants for the Jefferson’s chain. Ms. Cason added that some of the existing parking lot with this business could be lost with infrastructure improvements in the 5th Avenue, West 3rd Street area. With this property zoned UMU off street parking is not required. After a brief discussion regarding training methods, she will use for her employees, Ms. McMichael moved to approve the liquor pouring license request. Mr. VanMeter seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Police Report Rome Police Major DeHart was present and stated there were no incidents to report at alcohol establishments since the last ACC meeting. Variance Updates – Peaches and Alibi Speakeasy Secretary Smith updated the ACC members regarding actions taken by the City Commission. In September 2023, the City Commission approved a food/drink ratio variance for Peaches, 325 Broad Street. This variance will allow Peaches to meet Rome’s food/drink ratio with a combination of food sales and ticket sales. Food sales must constitute at least 25% of the total of liquor, ticket and food sales. Mr. Brandon Pledger, owner and operator of Alibi Speakeasy also received permission from the Rome City Commissioners to have a 2:00 a.m. closing time as other pouring establishments are allowed. When Mr. Pledger received his original food/drink ratio variance, he agreed to close at 11:00 p.m., however he has since requested that restriction be removed, and that request was granted by the Rome City Commission. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mr. Cooper adjourned the meeting at 5:40 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 2