Chattanooga Beer Board Meeting – January 8, 2026

The Chattanooga Beer Board convened on January 8, 2026, at 13:55 UTC. The meeting covered routine approvals, board discussion on state nuisance law and local brown bag ordinances, and a contested violation hearing for Cabanas Nightclub & Event Center regarding operating without a beer permit. The board voted to impose a $1,000 fine, overriding the hearing officer's recommended $500 penalty.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The board approved the minutes from the December 18, 2025 meeting (motion carried unanimously). It was noted that the minutes were not available for the absent member, but the approval was still valid.
• Beer Application – Uptown Reload: Nathan Bedford LLC, doing business as Uptown Reload (1335 Glass Street, Consumer District), received approval for a change of name and ownership. No police objections were raised.
• Temporary Beer Permits: None.
• New Beer Applications: None.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made at the meeting.

Discussion Items

• State Nuisance Law (TCA 29-3-201): Board member Zach brought up a state law allowing 10 or more citizens to bring a public nuisance action in Chancery or Circuit Court. He suggested the board could inform communities of this avenue. The city attorney clarified that the board cannot offer legal advice and that the law applies to citizens, not the board itself. The board decided not to pursue further action.
• Brown Bagging Enforcement: A board member asked about the city's brown bag ordinance and enforcement. The city attorney confirmed that a separate brown bag permit is required (even for businesses with a liquor license) and that an application process was created within the last year. Sergeant Cowan stated that his office has not received complaints about brown bagging, but spot inspections are conducted when aware of violations. The chair emphasized that the board's purview is limited to beer permits.
• Shady Corner / Play’s Corner: Zach asked about the status of a previous request for cameras at Play’s Corner. Sergeant Cowan explained that he cannot request cameras; camera placement is crime- and community-driven based on statistics. Neighborhood associations can request cameras from the police department. The city attorney reminded the board to stay within its lane of beer permit matters.

Cabanas Violation Hearing (Operating Without a Beer Permit)

• Background: Cabanas Nightclub & Event Center (located on Rossville Avenue) was cited for operating without a valid beer permit. The permit expired on December 31, 2024. The business closed from March to August 2025 for sprinkler installation and reopened selling beer without a permit from August until November 2025, when Sergeant Cowan issued a violation. An administrative hearing on December 18, 2025, resulted in a recommended $500 civil penalty.
• Representative’s Testimony: The representative (identified as Esquivel, who stated he was a co-owner) explained that he was unaware of the renewal process specifics and that the business had been serving only liquor since the violation. He acknowledged operating without a beer permit for about five months.
• Board Deliberation: Some members argued the violation was knowing and prolonged. A motion to not affirm the $500 fine failed (4 yes, 3 no – needed 5 votes). A subsequent motion to impose the maximum $1,000 fine passed (5 yes, 1 no). The board also noted that the representative had misrepresented his ownership status (city documents show Gabrielle as the sole owner). The board directed that the ownership issue be resolved immediately.

Key Outcomes

• Cabanas Fine: The board sustained the violation and imposed a $1,000 civil penalty (maximum allowable). The fine must be paid within seven days. The city attorney will prepare the order.
• Ownership Issue: The board noted the discrepancy in the representative’s claimed ownership. The business must correct its ownership records with the city.
• No Other Actions: No further business was brought before the board. The meeting adjourned, followed by a training session.