9/4/25 Chattanooga Beer Board Meeting

Chattanooga Beer Board — Meeting Recap

Date: September 4, 2025 • Time: 9:00 AM • Type: Regular Meeting

Opening & Housekeeping

  • Chair called meeting to order; Sunshine Law & device reminders.
  • All speakers sworn in.
  • Minutes approved for Aug 21, 2025 (unanimous).

Regulatory Approvals (FYI)

  • 100 Food 8 LLC — Beer Permit #1321 ✅
  • Riverside Collection LLC — Beer Permit #1352 ✅

No Board action required on these.

New Temporary Beer Permits

  • None

New Beer Applications

1) Shredders LLC (d/b/a Shredders Lair) — Beer Permit #1357

Address: 3230 Brainerd Rd • Zoning: CC • Owner/Agent: Brian Hennon (with Lewis Armstead & Chandler Hunt)
Concept: Used music retail + small café (coffee/tea, simple prepackaged items); beer only (no liquor).
Hours: Tue–Sat 8:00 AM–10:00 PM
Occupancy: 49 (confirmed applicant understands cap includes everyone inside)
Background check (Hunt): Underage possession/violation of probation; sentence completed June 10–12, 2015 (outside 10-yr window) → clear for permit.
Decision: APPROVED (roll call unanimous)

2) Franks and To Be LC — Beer Permit #1358

  • Already approved by Regulatory → No Board action taken

Previous Beer Violations (Hearing Officer Review)

Case: Exile (from Aug 21 hearing; Hearing Officer: Trevor Ashley)
Officer’s Recommendation: Dismiss complaint

Board Discussion Highlights:

  • Multiple calls logged the same night:
    • 12:55 AM (loitering)
    • 1:35 AM (domestic)
    • 2:55 AM (large crowd/loitering)
  • Dispute over report info noting 150–200 people outside; testimony clarified crowd was in adjacent private pay lot (not on premises).
  • Legal scope emphasized: Board rules on cited violations, not broader issues not charged.
  • Officer testimony: At 2:55 AM, bar staff called police to help disperse crowd and closed early (≈5 min).
  • Code reference raised: “Disorderly premises” applies on premises; off-premises crowd control complicates enforcement unless incident originates inside.
  • Concern expressed about persistent issues at/around location; suggestion that broader multi-department approach (building, zoning, regulatory, health) may be needed outside beer citations.

Motion: Sustain Hearing Officer’s recommendation to dismiss
Vote: PASSED, 5–3 → Complaint dismissed

Public Comment

Kandra Smith (Hamilton County Coalition):

  • Reminder: Beer-only permit holders (no TABC) must complete required server training within 60 days of approval.
  • Best practice: Call 911 immediately for any disorderly conduct inside — even if resolved — to create a record, prevent escalation outside, and meet Beer Board expectations.
  • Notes growing issue with parking capacity vs occupancy; urged clarity in ordinances and stronger staff training to reduce gray areas.

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