Chattanooga Beer Board Meeting - September 4, 2025
Chattanooga Beer Board Meeting - September 4, 2025
The Chattanooga Beer Board convened on September 4, 2025, at 9:00 AM to consider new beer permits, a previous beer violation, and public comments. The meeting began with a consent calendar approving two permits, followed by a new application for Shredder's LLC, and a lengthy discussion on a violation involving Exile of May. The board voted to dismiss the violation and accepted public input on training and disorderly conduct.
Consent Calendar
- 100 Food 8 LLC (Beer Permit #1321) – Approved by regulatory staff.
- Riverside Collection LLC (Beer Permit #1352) – Approved by regulatory staff.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Calandra Smith (Hamilton County Coalition) – Reminded applicants that beer-only permits (without TABC) require training within 60 days of approval. She also commented on the Exile of May discussion, urging businesses to call 911 immediately for any disorderly conduct, even if resolved, to create a record. She noted the challenge when crowds gather on nearby parking lots not owned by the establishment.
Discussion Items
- Shredder's LLC (Beer Permit #1357) – Brian Hennan, Lewis Armstead, and Chandler Hunt represented the applicant. Chandler Hunt had a 2015 probation violation (alcohol possession) that fell outside the 10-year lookback, allowing permit issuance. Hennan described Shredder's Lair as a used music retail store with a small café selling prepackaged food and beer only (no alcohol). Operating hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 8 AM–10 PM. Occupancy: 49. The board asked about occupancy limits and approved the permit unanimously.
- Exile of May – Previous Beer Violation – The board reviewed the hearing officer Trevor Etchley's recommendation to dismiss a complaint from August 21, 2025, regarding Exile of May. The complaint stemmed from three police calls on one night: loitering at 12:55 AM, a domestic call at 1:35 AM, and a large crowd at 2:55 AM. The last call led to a report of an altercation inside the establishment. Board members debated whether the bar properly notified police (manager reportedly told an officer at 1:35 AM) and whether crowds in an adjacent parking lot should be considered the bar's responsibility. The hearing officer recommended dismissal based on the legal requirements of the beer code. After discussion, a motion to sustain the recommendation (dismiss the complaint) was made and seconded.
- Frank's and Tobies LLC (Beer Permit #1358) – Approved by regulatory staff; no board action needed.
Key Outcomes
- Shredder's LLC – Beer permit #1357 approved unanimously (all members voted yes).
- Exile of May – The board voted 5–4 to sustain the hearing officer's recommendation and dismiss the complaint. Votes: Yes – Christie, Brooke, Betsy, Zach, Chair; No – Veronica, Reggie, and one additional no (total 4 no votes? Transcript states “three no’s” but roll call shows two explicit no’s; chair counted 5 yes, three no). The complaint was dismissed.
- Training Reminder – Calandra Smith’s comment noted that permit holders must complete training within 60 days of approval.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning to everybody and thank you for being here. We're going to start our September the fourth of twenty twenty-five nine AM Chattanooga Beer Board meeting. A couple of notes of interest, please. All meeting attendees must sign in on a designated sign in sheet. Please now, please, sir. We are abide by the sunshine law. Any electronic devices must be turned off or muted so as not to disrupt the meeting. And please state your name before you make any comments. 100 food 8 LLC beer number 1321 has been approved. Riverside Collection LLC beer number 1352 has been approved. Did we miss any? All these are good moved. Yes, all the uh number one food, number two, Riverside Collection, or both approved by regulatory. All right. So we'll move forward to new temporary beer permit applications, and we see there is none. And we move to new beer applications. Uh we have Shredder's LLC, beer 1357. Uh we'll hear from Bertha on that one. Okay. Representing Shredder's L C doing business as Shredder's liar. Brian Hennan, Lewis Armstead, and Chandler Hunt. I make an application to engage in the sale of consumer beer at 3230 Brennan Road. Mr. Hannon has a beer permit for the coin op located at 733 East ML King Boulevard, suite 100. The location is owned by Elaine Peters Gannon and his own C C. All right. Are you here? All right. You want to come to the thank you. They are uh been held up by legal. All right. Yes, sir. Which applicant are you going to have? I'm Brian Hennan. Brian. Thank you, sir. And is Mr. Hunt here? Mr. Hunt is here. Step up here for me. You in. I don't think you stood neither. I'll only swear or calling the testimony you're about to give over the truth, the whole truth and nothing about Patricia Helpy God. Thank you, sir. Thanks. Thank you. Okay, so I saw the notes in the portal, but I just wanted to you know have you here and present to address the uh the issue on your background check. Um was the sentence completed June 12th, yeah, the 10th through the 12th. Of 2015.
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