Ellijay City Councilmembers approved several renewals for on-premise alcohol consumption licenses, but tabled one new license application for future review when meeting Monday, Nov. 16.
During a public hearing for an on-premise consumption license application submitted by The Alley, Police Chief Ed Lacey told Mayor Al Hoyle and present councilmembers Tom Crawford, Al Fuller and Kevin Pritchett that he has concerns about the venue.
“I don’t think they realize they don’t have a license, although they’ve applied for one,” Lacey said.
“We had a situation where, during Halloween, they had bring your own beer, but they also charged a cover charge and also advertised all you can drink for X-number of dollars. If this is going to be the type of establishment and management we’re going to be looking at, I foresee some problems and issues in the future. If they had a license already, I would be coming before you and recommending that they be placed on probation or sanctioned in some type of way,” he continued.
Hoyle said The Alley, a bowling alley in the Spring Plaza shopping center, is under new ownership and was applying for a new license, not a renewal.
Crawford said he would prefer to know more about the venue before voting on the application.
“I would like to hear from the owner to find out what their plans and goals are before I would even be willing to cast a vote,” he said.
Fuller suggested tabling the application until the entire five-person council is present and, during the council meeting that followed the public hearing and workshop, The Alley’s application was tabled until a full council is in attendance to discuss.
Present councilmembers did approve beer, wine and distilled spirits license renewals for River Street Tavern, Emily’s Bar and Restaurant, The Roof and American Legion Post 82.
In other news ...
Councilmembers approved three appointments to Ellijay’s Downtown Development Authority -— Ellen Grant, Melinda Hadden and Kyle Nunn. Hoyle was also approved to serve another four-year term with the Greater Gilmer Joint Development Authority.