The City of West Bend Licensing Board met Sept. 8 and approved the granting of the only available original Class B combination license to an applicant identified as Gruenhexa, following a staff recommendation.
The clerk told the board the city has a total of 33 Class B combination licenses and that an opening occurred after Applebee's closed earlier in the summer. Two completed applications were received: one from Gruenhexa and one from Lieutenant Ray Dickup of American Legion Post 36. The clerk advised that Gruenhexa is an existing business seeking to expand and has been operating under a Class B beer and Class C wine license; on that basis the clerk recommended awarding the license to Gruenhexa.
Board members moved and seconded the motion; the board voted in favor and the motion carried. During the discussion the clerk noted reserve licenses are available for purchase with an upfront fee and that the city code lists considerations for awarding original licenses including the economic necessity for the business, traffic and parking impacts, proximity to potentially incompatible uses, economic benefit to the community and the applicant's past experience.
Why it matters: original Class B combination licenses are limited by quota; the award of the license allows Gruenhexa to expand full alcohol sales under the city's licensing scheme. The American Legion Post 36 submitted a competing application and was not selected.
Action and next steps: the licensing board formally approved the license grant to Gruenhexa and adjourned; any final licensing paperwork will be processed by city clerk staff per municipal code.