City of Monroe License Committee Meeting - April 27, 2026

The City of Monroe License Committee met on Monday, April 27, 2026, from 4:45 p.m. to 5:02 p.m. in Council Chambers, 1110 18th Avenue, Monroe, Wisconsin. Members Christopher Vestin and Richard Thoman were present; Darlene Voelkli was absent. All votes were 2-0 among those present. The committee reviewed two alcohol license recommendations, heard an education overview of license types, and considered a contested application for one of Madison's remaining Class B beer and liquor licenses.

Consent Calendar

• The April 13, 2026 meeting minutes were accepted as presented without correction.

Temporary Class B and Beer Garden Application - Main Street Monroe's Concerts on the Square Events

• Clerk Wahl presented Main Street Monroe's annual application for temporary Class B fermented malt beverage and wine licenses and a beer garden for multiple summer Concerts on the Square events. The requested hours were 5 to 10 p.m., and the applicant submitted a map showing the beer garden and licensed premise.
• Police and fire departments raised no issues or concerns.
• A motion made by Thoman, seconded by Vestin, to approve and recommend the applications to Common Council passed 2-0. Voting Ayes: Richard Thoman and Christopher Vestin.

Beer Garden Application - Leisure Lanes

• Clerk Wahl presented Leisure Lanes' annual beer garden application, which would extend the licensed premise to the bowling center's bag area and nearby outdoor space.
• Police and fire departments raised no issues with the proposal.
• A motion by Thoman, seconded by Vestin, to recommend approval passed 2-0.

Education on Types of Alcohol Licenses

• Clerk Wahl provided an overview of Wisconsin alcohol license types: Class A licenses cover off-premise sales such as gas stations and grocery stores; Class B licenses cover on-premise consumption in bars and similar settings; temporary Class B licenses are available to clubs, nonprofits, state and county fair associations, and churches, with limited numbers each year; and Class C licenses cover wine sales at restaurants.
• The committee discussed that a bona fide club or organization generally can receive two temporary Class B licenses per year, which is why Main Street partners with other groups. Class C wine walk licenses are not limited in the same way.
• Clerk Wahl noted the city has a limited number of Class B beer licenses and indicated only one of those licenses remained available at the time of the meeting.
• The committee also discussed that its roughly 2023 objective scoring system was designed to evaluate economic impact when considering future Class B license applicants.

Zavala/ Zalavas Mexican Store, LLC - Class B Beer and Liquor License Application

• The administrator reviewed the application for the last available Class B beer and liquor license. This was the third time this business had applied. The business operated partially as a grocery store and restaurant, had held a beer and wine license for the past two years, and did not yet have a full liquor license.
• The administrator noted that the applicant was now in a third year and could see continued stability, but unresolved fire-code concerns at the mall property remained under discussion between the property owner and fire inspectors. Some fire-code items were not minor and would require investment and time.
• One member felt that not comfortable using the last available Class B license because little had changed and they did not want to deny a future larger franchise the opportunity; another member stated that the continued fire-code issues would prevent them from voting yes. There also was discussion that once fire-code issues were resolved, the applicant could reapply.
• A motion by Vestin, seconded by Thoman, to deny the issuance of the Class B license passed 2-0. Voting: Richard Thoman, Christopher R. A. Nesbit, Darlene Voelkli absent.

Key Outcomes

• Recommended Common Council approval of Main Street Monroe's temporary Class B and beer garden applications.
• Recommended Common Council approval of Leisure Lanes' beer garden application.
• Recommended denial of Zalavas Mexican Store, LLC's Class B beer and liquor license application.
• The committee adjourned at 5:02 p.m. after a motion by Kaslis and second by Brod.

Note: The agenda and minutes refer to the applicant as Zalavas Mexican Store, LLC, while the attached application materials and transcript spell it as Zavala Mexican Market and Zavalas Mexican Store LLC.