East Point Council approves alcohol license for U Bar amid ownership confusion

The East Point City Council convened on May 12, 2025, to address several key agenda items, notably the application for an alcohol license for the U Bar, located at 3515 Camp Creek Parkway. The meeting began with a presentation by Naomi Lewis, the registered agent for the U Bar, who is seeking to obtain a license for the consumption of beer, wine, and liquor on the premises.

Council members were informed that Ms. Lewis had passed the necessary background checks and met the advertisement requirements. However, questions arose regarding the establishment's compliance history, particularly concerning its previous ownership and licensing issues. The police department recommended the issuance of the alcohol license, but concerns lingered about the establishment's operational status prior to the application.

Discussion revealed that the U Bar had been operating under a temporary license issued three weeks prior to the meeting. This temporary license was granted after the previous owner, who had allegedly subleased the business to Ms. Lewis, failed to inform the city of the sale. The previous owner had renewed his liquor license in January 2025, despite the business being subleased to Ms. Lewis since January 2024. This led to confusion regarding the legality of the establishment's operations.

The police chief clarified that the previous owner had been operating the bar without a valid liquor license, as the sublease arrangement did not allow for a transfer of the license. The council learned that the previous owner had financial difficulties, which complicated the transfer of necessary permits and licenses to Ms. Lewis. The city required that all business licenses, occupancy permits, and other documentation be in Ms. Lewis's name before a permanent alcohol license could be issued.

Ms. Lewis's representative explained that the transition had been delayed due to the previous owner's tax issues and the need for various permits, including food service and wastewater discharge licenses. The council was informed that the previous owner had since resolved these issues, allowing for the application process to move forward.

The meeting concluded with the council acknowledging the complexities surrounding the U Bar's licensing situation. They expressed the need for clarity in future applications to prevent similar issues. The council will continue to monitor the situation as Ms. Lewis works to finalize the necessary documentation for her alcohol license.