Marion County Alcoholic Beverage Board Meeting - April 6, 2026
Marion County Alcoholic Beverage Board Meeting - April 6, 2026
The Local Alcoholic Beverage Board of Marion County met on April 6, 2026, at the City-County Building, presided over by President Tyler Graves. The board heard cases from Speedway, Beech Grove, Lawrence, and unincorporated Marion County. The meeting was broadcast live on Channel 16 and will be rebroadcast in coming weeks.
Consent Calendar
- Renewals without violations were approved en masse via motion and second, with a unanimous vote.
- Numerous cases were continued without objection, including requests from IMPD for additional investigation and from attorneys needing more time (e.g., The Point 2.0, Harem House, Pueblita Mexican restaurant remonstrance, David & Busters, and others).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Chris Staub, president of the Near Eastside Community Organization (representing 20 neighborhoods), remonstrated against the renewal of Indy Supermarket (2040 E. Washington St.). He stated that commitments made to the community in 2007 and 2022 had not been fulfilled, open zoning citations exist, and the business did not operate as a restaurant as promised. The board later voted to deny the renewal.
Discussion Items
- New Permits:
- House Grill (4741 N. Post Rd., Lawrence) – first permit, no carry-out, approved with translator.
- Speedway City Garage (1552 Main St., Speedway) – new three-way permit under Motor Sports Development District; representative described coffee and beer concept, early hours, and strong ID policy; approved.
- Delta Hotel/Home2 Suites (151 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Indianapolis) – hotel market license; alcohol only from locked market, ID checking policy; approved.
- Kanpai Sushi (5375 E. Thompson Rd.) – second license (first in Hendricks County), no violations in six months; approved.
- El Catrachito Restaurant #2 (3561 English Ave.) – owner’s second license; policies for ID checks; approved.
- Marita Mexican Kitchen (5051 S. Keystone Ave.) – transfer for experienced operator with no recent violations; approved.
- Big Lug Brewing transfer (2310 Shelby St.) – transfer of existing license with good compliance record; approved.
- Renewal Violations:
- VP 51 (Lawrence) – originally denied, remanded by state. Board heard corrective action: new manager, POS system requiring birthdate, employee termination for selling to minors. Initial motion for one-year approval passed 3-1, but after a second member changed vote, the final vote was 2-2 (split). Because no majority, the matter returns to the state. Dissenting members cited criminal act and moral character concerns.
- Rock Lobster (820 Broad Ripple Ave.) – owner Steve Wentland explained he had dismissed a former owner/employee facing tax-related indictments and fixed expired employee permits; approved.
- Suki Banquet (4435 N. Keystone Ave.) – transfer from catering hall to restaurant license (210). Board heard about prior cease-and-desist for open-to-public events. Approved (3-1) with some members expressing discomfort over prior violations and operational concerns.
- Iguana's Taqueria (2912 Maywood Rd.) – first violation in 11 years (floor plan changes, missing manager questionnaire). Owner corrected issues; approved.
- A1 Liquors (7621 US 31 S.) – one violation for serving minor. Board discussed employee retraining and new ID scanning system; approved.
- Denial: Indy Supermarket (2040 E. Washington St.) – renewal denied based on good moral character and public nuisance. Board cited failure to operate as a restaurant despite promises and unfulfilled community commitments.
- New Application Continued: Three Agaves Mexican Grill (fire damage); applicant to either post sign on metal frame or amend location; continued.
Key Outcomes
- Approvals: House Grill, Speedway City Garage, Indian Haveli Restaurant (transfer), Kanpai Sushi, El Catrachito, Marita Mexican Kitchen, Big Lug transfer, Rock Lobster (renewal), Suki Banquet (transfer), Iguana's Taqueria (renewal), A1 Liquors (renewal), and all uncontested renewals.
- Denials: VP 51 (split vote, referred to state), Indy Supermarket (renewal denied).
- Continuances: Multiple cases continued to next meeting (May 4, 2026) due to missing paperwork, remonstrator issues, IMPD requests, or pending legal processes (e.g., The Point 2.0, Harem House, Pueblita remonstrance, Three Agaves, Upland Brewing, 21st Amendment Package Store, Hooters Downtown, and others).
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. Today is April 6th. This is the local alcoholic beverage board of Marion County. It's now in session. My name is Tyler Graves, and I serve as the president of the board. Today we will hear cases in Speedway, Beach Grove, Lawrence, and the rest of Marion County. Um you see representing the town of Speedway, Mr. Robert Staden. Um representing the city of Lawrence, Mr. Jim Hinnigan. To my immediate right, uh appointed by uh the city of Indianapolis is Mr. Peter Luster and serving as secretary of this board as exise officer Jeremiah Gillen. This meeting is being broadcast live on Channel 16, it'll be rebroadcast several times in the coming weeks. You're on television and the board request that you act accordingly. At this time, please silence your cell phones so do not interrupt the hearing. If you find it necessary to have a call or have a conversation with someone, please step out into the hallway and be respectful of others. Here is the order in which we will conduct business this morning. We will first ask individuals who have come to remonstrate to stand and come forward to the microphones hanging from the ceiling. Give us your name and the name and address of the business you were here to remonstrate against. We will then hear cases on today's docket pertaining to the town of Speedway, City of Beech Grove, and City of Lawrence. And next we will hear all applicants for new or transfer applications on today's docket. We will then call renewals on today's docket which have violations or remonstrators. After we finish to today's published docket, we will consider cases that have been continued from a previous hearing. All of those coming before the board today, whether you're an applicant representing the applicant, or are here to remonstrate, will testify under oath. Officer Gilliam will now administer the oath. Okay, so if you're planning to speak to the board on any matter, be it a transfer, a renewal of the violation, or anything in general. So if you don't have your hand up, you're not planning to speak to the board, correct? Make sure you got your right hand up. Okay, do each of you solemnly swear or affirm under the penalties for perjury that the answers you've given on your application or any testimony you give to questions asked by this board be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Yes. Okay, thank you. And one more quick announcement. Um Officer Sunye, who usually sits this board as the exi uh representative. Um wants you all to know that if you need an inspection for a permit transfer or new permit, you must contact her. Um her business cards are up here. You'll send her an email. She will schedule that with you. She will not come looking for you or contact you herself. So any questions about that? Okay. Thank you. If an applicant should have remonstrators, it has been the practice of this board to accept one request for continuance from both the applicant and the remonstrator. Should the board deem it appropriate, additional continuances may be granted. Are there any remonstrators in the hearing room? Mr. Stopp. Chris Staub. Uh opposing Indy Supermark 2040 East Washington Street. Uh is there anybody here from uh Indy Supermark? Yep.
openpublica.com