Metro Beer Permit Board postpones permit switch
By Vincent T. Davis
Diversity Institute Fellow
07.25.03
Metropolitan Beer Permit Board deferred a request at its July 23 meeting to change ownership of a permit for a beer store near Vanderbilt University cited for selling to under-age drinkers.
At the meeting, board members said Hillsboro Beer World at 2006A Belcourt Ave. was one of 76 businesses charged during a year-long sting operation conducted by Metro Police. The board revoked the store’s permit after the previous owner, Desai Inc., committed three violations. But the store continues to operate under a temporary court order.
Jatin B. Patel, the new owner, asked the board to lift the restrictions. But board members expressed concerns about prior violations and the store’s accessibility to students at Vanderbilt.
“I don’t think the entity should be selling beer,” board member Al Cocke said. “They’ve had their permit revoked by us, and they shouldn’t be selling beer – not today, not tomorrow.”
Board members said they would review the charges against Beer World and revisit the request at next month’s meeting on Aug. 14.
Typically, first-time violators could be fined $1,500 or face a two-week suspension while second-time offenders normally receive a two-week suspension. Third-time violators face a 30-day suspension or revocation of their license for one year.
The board also reviewed 17 applications for new licenses at the meeting, but only six were approved. The board deferred five others for lack of documentation until its next meeting and another indefinitely. The rest were rejected.
Domingo Gonzalez, owner of Bomba at 1038 W. Kirkland Ave., came before the board for an entirely different reason: He pled not guilty to violating his permit.
Although Gonzalez’s permit requires him to serve food at his establishment, Metropolitan Beer Inspector Jimmy Carter said he found no signs of food being cooked at the club when he visited on Feb. 28 and May 10.
Gonzalez presented Polaroid pictures to the board of food menus he now provides to customers.
The board gave Gonzalez the option of either paying a $200 fine or facing a two-week suspension and 90-day probation.
Gonzalez paid the fine.
“I think it was fair,” Gonzalez said before leaving the building. “I think we misinterpreted the law. I hope to continue to do business, and this won’t happen again.”