Chattanooga Beer Board Meeting - April 2, 2026
Chattanooga Beer Board Meeting - April 2, 2026
The Chattanooga Beer Board convened on April 2, 2026, at 12:50 PM UTC. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, review of pre-approved permits, consideration of new applications (WY Sports Bar, Hatch Outfitters, Champions Chicken), and discussion of an executive order addressing permit renewal notification issues. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: Approved the minutes from the March 19, 2026, meeting by voice vote.
- Pre-Approved Applications: Sergeant Cowan reported the following permits already approved:
- Smart Music Project, Springtime in Chattanooga (TE 117, Robert Davis, 201 Riverfront Parkway, April 11, 10 AM–5 PM)
- Friends of the Festival, Riverfront Nights Free Summer Music Series: multiple dates in May (23, 30), June (6, 13, 20, 27), July (4, 11, 18, 25), August (1, 8, 22, 29), and September (5) at 100 Riverfront Parkway (permits TE 120–123)
- New Temporary Beer Permit: Reflection Writing (TE 118) was approved.
Discussion Items
- WY Sports Bar (William Cox) – Ownership Transfer: Mr. Cox appeared for a name change and ownership transfer at 1387 location. His FBI background check revealed a 2021 charge for possession of a gambling device, which he stated was dismissed in 2022; he provided dismissal paperwork. He stated hours are noon to 9 PM, no food service, only beer. Board members questioned BYOB (brown bagging) policy; it was clarified that a separate license is required for BYOB. The board approved the permit after roll-call vote (8–0).
- Hatch Outfitters (Seth Fields) – New Application: Application for 3227 Branett Road. Missing FBI background check. Motion to defer to next meeting (April 16, 2026) passed by voice vote.
- Champions Chicken (Chuck Lawson, attorney) – New Application for 6925 Lee Highway: The permit had lapsed at the beginning of 2026; self-reported on March 11, 2026, and all beer sales ceased. The applicant noted that the city’s renewal notification system had failed to send alerts. Chris Anderson from the mayor’s office presented Executive Order 2026-03, granting a 90-day grace period for businesses that held a valid permit as late as January 2024, allowing them to sell beer while their new application processes. The order is valid for 15 days (renewable) and requires no change in ownership, name, or location. Anderson stated the city is working on an ordinance to extend permit renewal intervals to 5–10 years to prevent future lapses. The board approved Champions Chicken’s application by roll-call vote (8–0).
Key Outcomes
- WY Sports Bar: Approved (8–0). Applicant instructed to obtain a separate BYOB license.
- Hatch Outfitters: Deferred to April 16, 2026, meeting.
- Champions Chicken: Approved (8–0) under the executive order grace period.
- Executive Order 2026-03: Effective for 15 days (through approximately April 16, 2026), with possible extension. Provides 90-day window for compliant businesses to operate while new applications process.
- Future Ordinance: Mayor’s office plans to present a city council ordinance to simplify renewal, reduce frequency, and improve notification (e.g., adding secondary contacts).
Meeting Transcript
Uh ladies, are y'all ready for me? Yes, okay. Good morning, everyone. I'd like to call this meeting of the Chad Nigger Beer Board to order. Uh welcome to everybody today for being here. Uh all meeting attendees must sign in at the sign-in sheet at the podium then for sunshine law requirements, so if you haven't done so, please do that. Uh at this time we ask you to uh mute or turn off your electronic devices so we don't interrupt the meeting. Make sure I do I do that, okay. And all individuals wishing to address the board must do so from the podium, and please state your name before making comments, and we do ask you to please step uh speak up also. It's a little hard sometimes up here to see. All right, there we go. Good morning. How you doing, buddy? No, you're good. It's traffic. All right. Okay. First item on our agenda is approval of the minutes for the meeting of March nineteenth, twenty twenty-six. Is there a motion to approve those minutes? Make a motion to approve the meeting March 19th, 23. All right. Uh is there a second? Second. All right. All in favor approving the minutes of March 19th, 2026. Signify by saying aye. All right. Opposed. None noted. Okay. At this time, our court reporter will swear in. If you're coming to speak at the podium today, you'll need to be sworn in before we get started. So Lori, I'll turn that over to you. Anybody that's going to be speaking on anything on the agenda is handed this morning to find. I do. Thank you very much. All right. Sergeant Cowan, if you'll bring us up to date, please, sir. Yes, sir. The following are the applications that have already been approved. Uh number one, the smart music project, springtime in Chattanooga. Uh TE 117, Mr. Robert Davis is the organizer. Uh this was for two oh one Riverfront Parkway on April the 11th from 10 to 5. Number two, Friends of the Festival, Riverfront Nights, Free Summer Music Series. Mickey McCamish is the organizer for 100 Riverfront Parkway with uh multiple dates. May the 23rd and May the 30th from 6 to 10. Also TE 120. Uh Riverfront Nights free summer music series with multiple dates on that one as well. June the 6th, June the 13th, June the 20th, and June the 27th.
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