Franklin City Beer Board approves special-event and on-premise alcohol permits, defers one application

The Franklin City Beer Board on March 11 approved multiple special-event alcohol permits and two on-premise consumption licenses, deferred one incomplete application to April and granted one contingent approval pending a certificate of occupancy.

Most applications were routine and recommended for approval by staff after inspections. Board business was conducted by Alderman Greg Aldrin Caesar, the vice chair acting as chair; Alderman Barnhill voted in favor of each action, and Alderman Potts was absent.

Staff told the board that inspections were complete and recommended approval for the events and new businesses. Rachel Jones, director of development for Studio 10 Theater Company, said of the theater’s fundraising event, “It will happen from 6 to 10PM.” The board approved Studio 10’s single-night permit for April 5, 2025, at Liberty Hall.

Kelly Baker, community events manager for Friends of Franklin Parks, described three separate events that won board approval: the Harlinsdale Farm Fourth of July fireworks on July 4, 2025 (beer sold at concessions, food vendors and children’s activities from 5 to 9 p.m. with fireworks afterward), the Raise the Roofs polo event in August 2025, and the Dinner in the Barn event on Oct. 16, 2025. Baker told the board, “It’s our big annual fourth of July fireworks celebration at Harlinsdale Farm, and so we will be selling beer at concessions.” Board members asked about how alcohol sales would be confined at Harlinsdale Farm; staff and the applicant confirmed beer sales would be conducted inside the arena or designated concession areas.

The board approved an on-premise consumption license for Thai Samurai (1762 Galleria Boulevard). The applicant’s representative, Justin Chen, told the board that staff have been trained: “Yes, sir. Every staff has their ABC license and everyone's trained.”

Kokomo Trading Company (158 Front Street) did not have a complete application; staff recommended deferral and the board deferred the item to the April 8 meeting. Slice House by Tony Geminari (98 East Main Street), represented by Tyler Ichin of K2L Capital LLC, received contingent approval: staff said the application was complete except for a required certificate of occupancy, and the board approved the license contingent on receipt of that certificate.

Board procedural items — setting the meeting agenda and approving the Feb. 11, 2025, meeting minutes — were carried by voice vote at the start of the meeting. With no public commenters present, the board completed the agenda items and adjourned.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to set agenda: approved (Alderman Barnhill: yes; Alderman Greg Aldrin Caesar: yes). - Approval of minutes (Feb. 11, 2025): approved (Barnhill: yes; Caesar: yes). - Studio 10 Theater Company ("1 Night Only" at Liberty Hall), April 5, 2025, 6–10 p.m.: approved (Barnhill: yes; Caesar: yes). Managing agent: Rachel Jones; staff recommended approval; inspections complete. - Friends of Franklin Parks — Fourth of July fireworks, Harlinsdale Farm, July 4, 2025, 5–9 p.m. (fireworks following): approved (Barnhill: yes; Caesar: yes). Managing agent: Kelly Baker; staff recommended approval; beer to be sold at concessions/arena area. - Friends of Franklin Parks — Raise the Roofs (polo), August 2025, 4–11 p.m.: approved (Barnhill: yes; Caesar: yes). Managing agent: Kelly Baker; staff recommended approval; inspections complete. - Friends of Franklin Parks — Dinner in the Barn, Oct. 16, 2025, 4–11 p.m.: approved (Barnhill: yes; Caesar: yes). Managing agent: Kelly Baker; staff recommended approval; inspections complete. - Thai Samurai (1762 Galleria Boulevard), on-premise consumption: approved (Barnhill: yes; Caesar: yes). Managing agent/owner: Fothone Kuandone; representative: Justin Chen; staff recommended approval; inspections complete. - Kokomo Trading Company (158 Front Street), on-premise consumption: deferred to April 8, 2025 (application incomplete; applicant Justin Tucker not present). Motion to defer carried (Barnhill: yes; Caesar: yes). - Slice House by Tony Geminari (98 East Main Street), on-premise consumption: approved contingent on receipt of certificate of occupancy (Barnhill: yes; Caesar: yes). Managing partner: Tyler Ichin; staff recommended contingent approval.

Discussion vs. decision

Most items were approved after staff confirmed inspections and recommended approval. Discussion was limited to routine clarifying questions from board members: how concessions would be controlled at Harlinsdale Farm, whether new-business staff had completed ABC training, and the expected timing for the Slice House certificate of occupancy. The board issued no additional directions to staff and took formal votes on each motion listed above.

Ending

The board completed its agenda with no citizen comments and adjourned that evening. Pending items include the Kokomo Trading Company application, which returns to the board on April 8, 2025, and the Slice House license, which will be finalized after the certificate of occupancy is received.