9:19I'd like to call this meeting of the Chattanooga Beer Board to order.
9:24Like to ask all meeting attendees, my sign in at the designated sign in sheet for the Sunshine Law requirements.
9:31So if you've not done so, please do so at this time.
10:00We have uh approval of the minutes for the January 8, 2025 meeting.
10:07Is there a motion to approve those minutes?
10:16I'm making motion to approve January 8th, 2026 minutes.
10:23All in favor of approving the minutes of January 8th, 2026, signify by saying aye.
10:36Uh at this time anyone coming before the board uh will need to be sworn in.
10:41So uh Lori, if you would do that for us, please.
10:51Anyone that's going to be coming to the phone to speak today for whatever reason these can be sworn in at this time.
10:57Do each of you saw them swear or the testimony you're giving today will be the truth, the whole thing.
11:06I do now if y'all are gonna come and speak before us, you need to be sworn in correctly.
11:18If you do, then we'll need to swear you in.
11:24Beer applications passed from the last meeting.
11:32So uh beer applications approved by regulatory.
11:37Uh we have uh Nathan Benford LLC beer application or beer license one three six five, and it was a change of ownership.
11:48Are there any other uh beer applications that have been approved since this printing?
11:55Uh I just approved 1381, which should be number two on the new beer application, right?
12:04Vision hospitality and management.
12:07So uh that would be Vision Hospitality Management LLC doing business as Holiday Inn Express and Suites Chattanooga downtown beer number one three eight one has been approved by regulatory also okay.
12:26Anything else, Officer Cowan?
12:29All right, thank you.
12:32All right, there are no new temporary beer permit applications.
12:50Well, we will start our new beer application section.
12:54Bertha, do you want to read the the caption for the first one there?
12:59Okay, representing Cabanas Nightclub and Event Center LLC doing business as cabanas.
13:06Gabrielle Sosa and Jesus Esquivale are making application to engage in the sale of consumer beer at 1800 Rossville Avenue Unit 10.
13:16The pending application reflects an ownership change.
13:19Gabrielle Sosa has had a beer permit for this location in the past and is adding a partner.
13:25The location is owned by Deanna Duncan and is zoned UCX.
13:33All right, Officer Cowan.
13:34Anything to add here.
13:38Uh this one's currently sitting at the the legal stage in the uh open gov.
13:45However, in doing my research on this particular one, um, I'm finding that these particular individuals also own some other businesses.
13:58Um those businesses currently have beer license and they are also expired.
14:05So we have we have three other ones that we should consider when we're considering this one.
14:16Um is there a representative here?
14:19Yeah, if you'll come.
14:20I think we'll sort it out.
14:22Okay, well, you need to be sworn in.
14:34Right now I can please sergeant some swear or affirm the testimony you're about to give you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing.
14:49I have two last names.
14:51Uh E S-Q-U-I-V-L Soranna.
14:54Sorana spell that for me.
14:56Soran, like the pepper, S-E-R-E-N-S.
15:00S E R R R A N O, like the Pepper.
15:10Well, I can just have that.
15:14Well, Catherine's next.
15:30Um, do you own three other businesses?
15:34I'm with my brother, yes, correct.
15:36Um, and does your brother own them or do you own them?
15:42He he's he's the majority owner.
15:45What part do you own?
15:46It's 8020, like I said last time I was here.
15:48Okay, and what are the three other businesses that you own?
15:51Uh one of them isn't open right now.
15:53Uh, but we have Chi Chi's Mexieville, and then uh we're we're transferring 423.
15:59Okay, transferring 423.
16:00Taco to another location.
16:03Um to another location.
16:05Yeah, but that one's not it's not open yet.
16:08Um so are those beer permits active?
16:13Um they are not, but that's going back again to what I told y'all last time I was here.
16:18For example, the one for Chi Chi's, that one expired in December.
16:23There was I never get no email for the renewals, and that's what I was telling y'all last time.
16:27That's what happened with the Cabanos one too.
16:29But you are aware that you have to renew your beer permit every year, correct?
16:35And these permits expired in December of 2024?
16:40And so these businesses have not had beer permits for over a year, correct?
16:46Um, no, no, it expired at the end of this past year, so December of this last year.
16:58They expired at the end of 2025.
17:02Say it's so usually when when they expire, you get the email and you're able to renew them.
17:10But that's what I'm saying.
17:11Like, I didn't get the renewals in order to be able to do that, and that's why I went to the city hall.
17:16That's why I went to go see you over there at the office, because that's the issue that I was having.
17:21So Chi Chi's expired in December of last year, and I don't it if I don't get an email or anything to renew it, if I go down to City Hall, they're they're not gonna know what to tell me.
17:44Can you confirm that both Chi Chi's and Maxville's uh beer permits?
17:54The status of those?
17:57Uh yes, it's it's showing an expiration date in the system of 1231 of 24.
18:04Okay, can you uh see what email address is on the system for him?
18:26Uh Mexiville North Shore at gmail.com.
18:29That's what's on uh the permit when he originally filled it out.
18:33Right, is that your correct email address?
18:39Proper telephone number.
18:48Catherine, you got anything else?
18:50She's still not welcome to spoke about.
19:00Okay, also on the application for Chi Cheese, it lists Gabriel Sosa as a hundred percent owner, not 80, like you just testified to.
19:09So what what's going on with that?
19:12So here's the thing.
19:14He is the majority owner.
19:16I just have a part, and it's just kind of like uh uh, hey, after all sales that are not, here's here's a percentage.
19:22So it wasn't really written down till we had this issue here.
19:27Well, I get that, but if you own five percent or more, you still have to go through the application process, which requires a background check.
19:35So if you own more than five percent of the business, we need to have your background check on file as well.
19:40Uh I got like I told you, I got the the TBI one came back fine, but the national background check, that's the one that I'm waiting for.
19:46Right, and we cannot approve your your um beer application without it.
19:54Uh it's another two weeks.
19:57All right, um, I believe those are all the questions I have.
20:00All right, let's see.
20:01Uh okay, let's see who's like news.
20:09I guess it's a question to who I'm whoever.
20:13Do you get an email stating that it's time to renew?
20:18The treasurer is all asking.
20:20Do they send out an email saying it's time to renew?
20:23They send out notices.
20:24But also every person that has a beer application, if they read the ordinance, it's aware that at the end of the year our permits expire, not June, July, everybody's beer permit expires December 31st.
20:38And the expiration date of the permit is on the actual beer permit as well.
20:42So you know when it expires.
20:45And that my next question was what you just covered is on here again.
20:48It's having Gabriel and him as the owners.
20:51And at last week's meeting, he still said he was.
20:54Well, our documents don't show him as owner.
20:57Well, he corrected cabanas to where uh Gabriel's 80 and Jesus 20.
21:05Um, but the other ones have not been corrected.
21:09So there's they're still saying that Gabriel owns 100%.
21:12So at Cabanas, do we have a nationwide background check?
21:22I'll just I'm kind of baffled because we were here last week.
21:26Are you still selling are you selling beer at Chi Chi's right now?
21:30Yes, at Chi Cheese, yes.
21:31So you're still selling beer?
21:33The only one I wasn't selling at was at uh Cabana's.
21:36So it's November 18th.
21:38And last week, you were aware that you shouldn't be selling beer as well.
21:44That's what you stated under oak.
21:46You knew you shouldn't be selling beer because the license was expired.
21:49But again, how am I not supposed to sell when it's like an issue on the I'm not getting the the chance to renew them?
21:56I understand, but you knew.
21:58Okay, and so since you knew about cabanas, you also know about Chi Cheese, but you're still selling beer.
22:06What is your project response?
22:10All right, no further questions.
22:12All right, Catherine.
22:18Uh a follow-up question.
22:20You are you selling beer at the Mexiville location?
22:25Even though your beer license for that is expired.
22:29Um, and you are aware that it is your responsibility to ensure that your beer permit is renewed every year, correct?
22:38No further questions.
22:42I was excuse me, I was just gonna ask if citations have been issued for the other establishments for the expired beer licenses.
22:50They have not, not yet.
22:55That was that was gonna be my question, too.
22:59Is when do we expect the it'll come up on the beer board agenda?
23:04Be a maybe a month at this point.
23:09Was our answer to that question?
23:14Yes, maybe a little bit longer, depending on how how long it takes to serve him on that particular violation.
23:21And I'm gonna make sure you know that you need to stop selling beer until the beer board resolves the issue.
23:36What Zach just said, kind of.
23:39Um he advised him to stop selling beer, but that's as a beer board, that's not our responsibility to advise him to stop selling beer.
23:48It's common knowledge as a business owner to stop selling beer if you don't have a legal permit.
23:55And doubtless, he continues to do it with all his other businesses.
24:00So is he gonna be citated?
24:01Is you know, get a citation for this, is my question.
24:04I think he should get a citation because he's done it normally at least three times, three different businesses.
24:15Up David, because that was technically a question.
24:20That was a question.
24:21Yeah, that was a question.
24:22Would he be scientific?
24:25Uh for for these violations, yes.
24:28Yes, the answer is yes.
24:31Um just as points of clarification for you.
24:35Um 103 Cherokee Boulevard Unit 105.
24:38I'm showing as Mexiville with a beer permit of number 511.
24:43Is it currently open for business?
24:45Yes, and you're selling beer there.
24:48And I'm showing uh an 811 Market Street, um, which is Mexiville and or Chi Cheese.
24:57So I have one address, but I have two names.
25:00I'm not sure which one is no there's two restaurants next to each other.
25:03So one's a Maxi, one's Chi Chi's.
25:05You're about to speak that there's two restaurants there, two restaurants next door to each other.
25:09Uh one's a Mexival, one's Chi Chi's.
25:11And they're both open for business.
25:14Okay, and selling beer at both.
25:17And 809 Market Street.
25:20So I'm showing an 809 and an 811.
25:26And they're next door to each other.
25:27They're adjacent to each other.
25:30Are there any other restaurants and or bars that you own?
25:48Um since the background check has not been completed, we can't proceed.
25:57So I will the chair will entertain entertain a motion to pass this to the next meeting.
26:07I move to pass this.
26:09Application number 1378 to the next beer board meeting.
26:13Okay, so there's a motion by Zach Axley to pass that to the next meeting.
26:18Is there a second to that motion?
26:25And I'll call a roll.
26:27Get over here to my roll call.
26:30Uh any further discussion to the motion?
26:38Also, at the next beer board meeting, if if this does in fact get passed, uh we would like also Mr.
26:47Sosa to attend as well.
26:51Should we add that to the motion?
26:54No, it's not necessary.
26:59Um so I will call the roll.
27:25And the chair votes yes.
27:33So moving forward, how am I what am I gonna do about like example Chi Chi's?
27:38Like I told y'all, the permit expired in December.
27:40There's still no email to renew.
27:42So what do I do then?
27:46Have you checked your spam?
27:48Have you checked your uh check my spam?
27:51Okay, you better check for some reason.
27:53Also, you can you can go online and start a process yourself.
27:57You don't have to wait for the email.
28:01Well, I think the most important part to remember is it's it's over a year expired.
28:07So you'll have to do new permits, they won't be able to be renewed.
28:11You'll have to go online and do new permits just like you did with Capanus.
28:14Yes, if that makes sense.
28:18But if you have those um background checks and everything, they're good for a year, so you can reuse those.
28:25So that's the only thing in that I'm waiting for, just the national background check.
28:28And then after that, I could turn it into Ms.
28:31Okay, thank you, guys.
28:44I have no idea what that is showing.
28:47It's just an audible.
28:51Uh next item on our agenda is BJ's BJ's Wholesale Club.
28:58BJ's Wholesale Club Inc.
29:00doing business as BJ's wholesale club number 254.
29:04BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings Inc.
29:07is making application to engage in the sale of carry-out beer at 401 Northgate Mall Drive.
29:13The corporation has not had a beer permit in the past.
29:17The location is owned by BJ's Wholesale Club and is zoned C.
29:24All right, if you would state your name, please, sir.
29:26David Shoah, S H A W.
29:29Okay, David, tell us about what's going on.
29:31I know you're selling gas today.
29:34219 a gallon, everybody.
29:37Uh so BJ's is a wholesale club.
29:39Um you have a Sam's in the area, you have a Costos in the area, so we'll similar similar to those.
29:44We sell more varieties and small varieties to you know family.
29:48We cater to families more than businesses.
29:51And we do sell alcohol, we sell beer and a lot, you know, computers and TVs and food and a lot of different varieties, 6,000 different varieties.
30:00We had to apply for our permit.
30:02Tell us about how you make sure you're not selling to underage people.
30:06So anybody buying alcohol, the register will prompt them that you must check ID.
30:11It doesn't matter the age, it doesn't matter who it is.
30:13It's also part of the training as they're getting trained to know what to look for to make sure that they check all the ID, but every prompt comes on any alcohol that's sold.
30:27Building has not signed off.
30:29Oh, building has not signed off.
30:31I thought I saw Zach come in.
30:33Zach's not building it.
30:36So we still haven't gotten an approval by building permit yet.
30:40Zach, can you tell us what's going on, please, sir?
30:46I actually haven't spoken with building on this whatsoever.
30:50Um it's my understanding that there is a certificate of occupancy.
30:56I walked in at the last end of it.
30:58I guess I should get sworn in.
31:02And you saw me swear or if I'm the testimony.
31:04You've already given the testimony you're about to give.
31:08Nothing but the truth to help you guys.
31:13So Bill in our chief's meeting on Monday.
31:15Um I did pose the question do they have a CO?
31:19And the answer back to me was yes, they do have a CO, which is a certificate certificate of occupancy.
31:26I did not then go into the system and look personally, but it's my understanding they have a CO, they're clear to operate.
31:40So I'm not sure as far as the hold up on actually pushing the button.
31:46I can try to get a hold of Malone, Inspector Malone, and see what he has to say about it.
31:53I would ask the candidate if you've had any communication with any of the inspectors and which one and what that communication was.
32:06But I was told by counsel that they were still waiting for that uh approval.
32:12I'll try to get a hold of Malone.
32:13We cannot approve this until that approval has taken place.
32:18And this is more of an internal somebody telling the computer yes, they're approved.
32:24Uh so once that's done, then the regulatory can approve it, and you will not need to come back before our board.
32:31It will be done automatically.
32:35So I think that's it.
32:42I think that's all we can do at this point.
32:44Yeah, they did warn me about that.
32:45That the people still waiting for the CO part of it.
32:48I guess it's the getting to communication.
32:52So again, welcome to Chattanooga.
32:55Again, uh, then as soon as that's done, then the regulatory unit will automatically approve your application.
33:02You should be able to start selling beer.
33:05Thank you very much.
33:22Because it's a it's an automatic process.
33:24It's an automatic process, right?
33:28Next item on our agenda is the Concord Hospitality Enterprise Company LLC.
33:41Consider Timestry Collection Oculus.
33:47C H E C O Holdings O L C Make an application to engage in the sell of consumer carryout here.
33:56The business has not had a group of any pass.
33:59The location is owned by Chattanooga Hotel.
34:07Now you'll need to be sworn in.
34:13You saw me swear or affirm the testimony you're about to give.
34:16Would be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing about the truth to help you drive.
34:25Same thing applies there.
34:26Building has not signed off.
34:41I'm texting on that one too.
34:46So Kelly, everything is done except for the sign off by the building inspection department.
34:54So let's see what we did.
34:56So tell us a little bit about what you're gonna do while we're waiting on that.
35:01So we're a Hilton Tapestry Collection Hotel.
35:04We have 148 guest rooms.
35:06We have a rooftop bar with beautiful views of the city and uh speakeasy in the former bank vault.
35:12So this is an adaptive reuse building that was originally built in 1927.
35:17So really leaning into the history of Chattanooga and um gonna offer some really great drinks in the speakeasy and on the rooftop.
35:27All right, very good.
35:31So the only thing that's holding us up is the building inspection itself.
35:36So once, as you heard me say before, once that building uh the building department has approved it, then you will automatic it will automatically go in the system, and then you will be approved through regulatory and not have to come back before our board today.
35:58So beer will be sold in more than one location?
36:02Yes, okay, because the application states no.
36:04Uh it's all in the same LLC, so technically it's all the same building, just different outlets within the building and property.
36:16So is there like an upstairs downstairs?
36:19Okay, that needs to be indicated on the application.
36:23So what was the speakeasy?
36:25Yes, it's called the vault.
36:27In the basement, and then the other location.
36:32It's iris is the name of it, and it's on the 11th floor.
36:39And it's on the 11th floor.
36:42And what's the name of the one that's in the vault?
36:48So is that three locations?
36:50No, that's the speakeasy.
36:52It's called the vault.
37:00Do you have anything?
37:04So we can't take action here, but as soon as the building inspection gives the final sign off on it, then everything should be done through the online registration system.
37:15Thank you very much.
37:16Appreciate you being here.
37:23Under discussion, uh, notation that cabana's uh check was received for the violation of fine of a thousand dollars.
37:32So that has been received.
37:36Any public comments today?
37:39Anyone from the public wishing to address the board?
37:42May do so at this time.
37:43You have three minutes.
37:44Is there any other discussion?
37:46No, is there any other discussion?
38:02We will now uh there'll be a motion to adjourn this meeting and then we will start the uh hearing uh for violations after that.
38:11So is there a motion to adjourn the meeting of the beer board?
38:15I make a motion to adjourn.
38:17Okay, motion by JW Cole.
38:21Second, second by um Betsy.
38:27All in favor by signifying by saying aye.
38:32All right, thank you.
38:33All right, be about uh five for ten minutes, and we'll get started on the uh violation.
