Marion County Alcoholic Beverage Board Hearing - July 6, 2026
Marion County Alcoholic Beverage Board Hearing - July 6, 2026
The Marion County Alcoholic Beverage Board, chaired by President Tyler Graves, met on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 9:30 AM to hear renewal and new/transfer applications for alcoholic beverage permits in Speedway, Beech Grove, Lawrence, and Indianapolis (Marion County). The meeting was broadcast live on Channel 16. Due to the absence of one board member (Beech Grove representative), the board lacked a quorum for that jurisdiction, so the Beech Grove case was heard but not voted on; it was continued. The board processed numerous renewals (with and without violations), new applications, and transfer applications. Key outcomes include approval of several renewals with violations, approval of many new permits, and continuances for incomplete documentation or pending violations.
Consent Calendar
- The board approved all automatic renewals (licenses without violations or remonstrators) in a single motion at the end of the meeting. These included, for example, Hampton Inn & Suites Speedway, Indian Lake Country Club, Watami Sushi, and Phi Thai Street Food, among others.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comment period was held. One individual, David King, indicated a desire to remonstrate against Rookies E3 and Pub (renewal without violation) but was informed that a formal remonstrance would require the applicant to be notified and a hearing in August. No testimony was taken from Mr. King.
Discussion Items
- Renewal with Violation – Dawson’s on Main (Speedway): Chris Hill, owner, explained a violation for serving a minor during a compliance check in April 2024. The server was still employed but had been with the business for 20 years. The board approved the renewal.
- Renewal with Violation – Fifth Avenue Grill & Bar (Beech Grove): Owner Josh Gooden appeared for a violation involving a Queen of Hearts game board, but the board discovered a different violation (falsification of records, failure to disclose a misdemeanor conviction). The case was continued to August due to lack of quorum and missing documentation.
- New Application – Andy Wings (Indianapolis): Anil Johan, applicant for a beer/wine carryout at 3623 Shelby Street, has 16 years of experience with one prior paperwork violation. Policy: check all IDs. Approved.
- New Application – The Sports Bra (Indianapolis): Co-owner Eve Keller presented a family-friendly restaurant dedicated to women's sports. Policy: government-issued ID required, no expired or phone IDs. First offense accidental leads to coaching; second termination. Approved.
- Transfer of Ownership – Greeks on 16th (Indianapolis): Attorney Justin Hayes and owner Todd Dorsey sought transfer of beer/wine retailer permit. Policy: check all IDs; second violation leads to termination. Approved.
- Transfer of Ownership – Bottle Shop (Indianapolis): Owner Mike Bandora (also owns Greeks Pizzeria) taking over liquor store. Policy: check IDs for those under 40 (state law). One chance retraining, second offense termination. Approved.
- New Application – Gatsby's Pub & Grill (Indianapolis): Owner Aressa Penelosa (with translation) – first permit, entire establishment 21+. Policy: check IDs under 40, two-strike system. Approved.
- Transfer of Ownership – Brookville Petroleum (Indianapolis): Owner Lakbot Singh for gas station convenience store. Policy: check under 40, one warning then termination. Approved.
- Renewal with Violation – Living Room Lounge (Indianapolis): Owners Michelle Vials and Dean Gross discussed a violation where a patron took a drink out the back door. They have since stopped allowing alcohol on the patio and have new security. They plan to close in February 2027. Approved.
- Renewal with Violation – Get-Go #7542 (Indianapolis): District leader Michael Clark reported a cashier served a minor; employee no longer with company; new leadership and retraining. Approved.
- Renewal with Violation – Indy Fresh Market (Indianapolis): Assistant manager Michael Mumfrey reported an employee sold alcohol to a minor; terminated; zero tolerance policy implemented. Approved.
- Renewal with Violation – Shortstop Gas Station (Indianapolis): Partner Al Haji Balakadvan appeared but did not know details; violation for false records/perjury. Continued to August, requiring both owners to appear.
- Other continuances: Several cases were continued due to missing documents, no sign posted, or pending violations (e.g., La Guanya Mexican Restaurant, Union House Beverage, Rajah Max/Circle K, RCI Dining Services, etc.).
Key Outcomes
- Approvals: Dawson's on Main, Hampton Inn & Suites, Indian Lake Country Club, Watami Sushi, Phi Thai, Andy Wings, The Sports Bra, Greeks on 16th, Bottle Shop, Fernando's Mexican & Brazilian, Gatsby's Pub & Grill, Brookville Petroleum, El Tablon, Don Nico, New Angle, Paradox Lounge, Living Room Lounge, Get-Go #7542, Indy Fresh Market, and all automatic renewals.
- Continuances to August 3, 2026: Fifth Avenue Grill & Bar (Beech Grove), Barragon Inc., Recess LLC, Tacos Locals, Union House Beverage, Shortstop Gas Station, and other cases with missing documents or requested continuances. The board also continued the Beech Grove case due to lack of quorum.
- Remonstrance: David King's remonstrance against Rookies E3 and Pub will be heard in August; the applicant will be notified.
- Final: The board adjourned after approving all automatic renewals and handling all docketed cases.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. Today is Monday, July 6th. This hearing of the local alcoholic beverage board of Marion County is now in session. My name is Tyler Graves and I'm Tyler Graves, and I serve as the president of the board. Today we'll be here. We will hear cases in Speedway, Beach Grove, Lawrence, and the rest of Marion County, Indianapolis. We're representing the town of Speedway to my immediate left is Mr. Robert Staten. Representing the city of Lawrence to my far left is Mr. Jim Hennigan. Representing the city of Indianapolis to my immediate right is with this phone going off is Mr. Peter Lusker. And appointed, let me see, serving as secretary of this board is excise officer Amy Sunier. This meeting is being broadcast live on Channel 16. It will be rebroadcast several times in the coming weeks. You are on television, the board request that you act accordingly. At this time, please silence your cell phone so you 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 and 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 of the business you are 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 for new or transfer applications on today's docket. We will then call renewals on today's docket, which have violations or remonstrators. Applicants appearing in Marion in Marion County are required to have four items before the board can hear your case. We cannot and we will not hear your case if you do not have these four items. So listen carefully. The first, the affidavit of compliance of posting the permit advertising sign from the ATC for at least ten 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. In addition to the required documents, if you are a new or a transfer application, you are required to have a final inspection approved prior to your permit being made active. I will give you my contact information when we call you forward and hear your application. It is your responsibility to contact me to schedule that appointment. I will not contact you. After we finish 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 Sunier will now administer the oath. Going to testify before the board this morning, please raise your right hand. Anyone that's going to speak this morning needs to raise the right hand. Do each of you solemnly swear from under the penalties for perjury that the answers that you have 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. Yes. Thank you. If an applicant should have remonstrators, it's 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? Good morning. My name is Wayne Carter, represents Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. We're here on R R 490 4389 RCAI dining services doing the pony.
openpublica.com