Marion County Alcoholic Beverage Board Hearing - May 4, 2026
Marion County Alcoholic Beverage Board Hearing - May 4, 2026
The Marion County Alcoholic Beverage Board met on the morning of Monday, May 4, 2026, under President Tyler Graves. The board heard cases from Speedway, Beech Grove, Lawrence, and Indianapolis, including renewals, transfers, and violation hearings. The meeting was broadcast live on Channel 16.
Consent Calendar
- Renewals without violation approved unanimously: Kroger Limited Partnership (Crawfordsville Road), Walgreens #05718 (East 79th Street), Juicy Seafood Lawrence (Pendleton Pike), and others.
- Several routine renewals and continuances were granted without opposition.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Detective Tiffany Harrison of IMPD appeared to remonstrate against End Zone Bar & Grill (8311 North Michigan Road), Pony Club Indy (3551 Lafayette Road), and The Point 2.0 (3344 North Filing Tanomigo). End Zone and Pony Club were continued to June; The Point 2.0 was heard later in the meeting.
- Captain William Carter of IMPD testified extensively on The Point 2.0, detailing an investigation into false ownership and the involvement of DeWan Harney, who had prior convictions for tax evasion and operating an after-hours club where multiple shootings occurred.
Discussion Items
- The Point 2.0 (Transfer): The applicant failed to appear. IMPD and the excise officer presented evidence that DeWan Harney, who would not qualify for a license, was actually operating the location through his sister. The board heard remonstrators and denied the transfer, citing high and fine reputation concerns.
- TRICS LLC (Tricks): A transfer of ownership for a tavern/restaurant at 10030 East Washington Street. The applicant, the sole owner on paper, faced concerns because another individual (Courtney Norwood) identified himself as an owner to excise. An incident involving an IMPD officer being battered at the location was noted. The board approved the transfer but imposed a one-year renewal term, with one member opposed, to ensure the applicant demonstrates sole control.
- Seasoned Soul Food Bar & Grill: A new permit for a former memories location. The owner, Janet Alexander, stated she would run a 21+ bar and grill. However, her husband Scott Keene claimed ownership on social media and had a tax protest. The board continued the case to June to clarify ownership, with a requirement for a meeting between the attorney and the owners.
- Squirrel's Nest Bar & Grill: Similar ownership confusion involving husband Scott Keene, who posted online claiming ownership. The case was continued to June for further review.
- Sasha Caribbean Restaurant (Renewal with Violations): The business had multiple violations including expired permit, retail-to-retail sales, unauthorized beverages, and no employee permits. The owner cited being busy with a master's degree. The board voted to renew for one year to allow time to demonstrate compliance.
- Liquor Barn (Two Locations): Two renewal cases with violations for retail-to-retail purchases and administrative failures. The board approved both after new management presented corrective actions, including retraining and new point-of-sale systems.
- Upland Brewing Company: A renewal with two underage serving violations. The company closed the location and implemented new training and testing programs. Approved.
- Dave & Busters: Renewal with a violation for operating without a valid permit (missed renewal). The new acting general manager outlined a tracking system. Approved.
Key Outcomes
- The Point 2.0: Denied unanimously (motion by member, reasoning: high and fine reputation).
- TRICS LLC: Approved with a one-year renewal (motion for approval carried, then motion for one-year term carried with one opposed).
- Seasoned Soul Food Bar & Grill: Continued to June 1, 2026.
- Squirrel's Nest Bar & Grill: Continued to June 1, 2026.
- Sasha Caribbean Restaurant: Renewed for one year.
- Upland Brewing, Dave & Busters, Liquor Barn locations: Approved.
- Numerous other renewals and transfers approved as noted.
- The meeting concluded with motions for automatic renewals and adjournment, both carried.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. Today is Monday, May 4th. This hearing of the local alcoholic beverage board of Marion County is now in session. My name is Tyler Graves and I serve as the president of the board. Today we will hear cases in speech. Speedway, Beach Grove, Lawrence, and then the rest of Marion County, Indianapolis. To my immediate right, uh representing the city of Indianapolis is Mr. Peter Luster. To my left is Bob, where are you at? Speedway. Yeah, representing the town of Speedway, Robert Staten. And to my immediate left, appointed by the Indianapolis City County Council is Ebony Chappelle. Serving as secretary of this board is Exise Officer Amy Sunier. This meeting is being broadcast live on Channel 16. It will be rebroadcast in several several times in the coming weeks. You are on television and the board requests that you act accordingly. At this time, please silence your cell phone so do not interrupt the hearing. If you find it necessary to take a call or to have a conversation with someone here with you, please be respectful to step out into the hallway. 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 you're here to remonstrate against. We will then hear cases on today's docket pertaining to the town of Speedway, City of Beach Grove, and the City of Lawrence. Next, we will call all applicants or new 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 today's published docket, we will consider the 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 Sunny will now administer the oath. Going to testify before this board this morning, please raise your right hand. Are neither of you testifying? Do each of you solemnly swear from under the penalties for perjury that the answers that you've given on your application or any answer you might give to any questions asked by this board to be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. 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? Detective Tiffany Harrison with IMPD remonstrating against end zone bar and grill 8311 North Michigan Road. Pony Club Indy, uh 3551 Lafayette Road, and the point 2.0 3344, North Filing Tanomigo. The pony and the end and then zone will both be continued to June. Thank you. Cool. Uh which ones are continued? Supposing an end zone are continuing the point we will hear too. The point we will hear. Okay. Applicants appearing in Marion County are required to have four items before the board can hear your case. We cannot, we will not hear your case if you do not have these four items. Uh the first, the affidavit of compliance or posting the permit advertising sign from the ATC for at list at least 10 days prior to the meeting hearing. The second, the affidavit of compliance or notice sent to the property owners and neighborhood organizations that you sent written notice to about today's hearing. The third, the zoning affidavit obtained from the Department of Metropolitan Development. And the fourth, the Marion County Tax Clearance form from the Indiana Department of Revenue. If you do not have all of these items, please let us know when you come forward.
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