NoHo Social license reverts to city; commission to decide how to reissue

At the Jan. 15 meeting, the Lisonbee Commission was briefed that the liquor license previously issued to NoHo Social has reverted to the city after the license holder did not complete renewal paperwork by the November deadline.

Licensing staff said they had attempted outreach in October and December and later learned from the building inspector that NoHo Social had closed. Staff said the license reverted to the city upon expiration in December and that the establishment currently does not appear to be operating: its website redirects and its social media had not been updated since May. The applicant's attorney contacted staff seeking guidance to reclaim the license, but staff told the commission that the license is now available for reissuance and the commission must decide how to proceed.

Commission members discussed options including holding another lottery (the commission has used lotteries in the past when licenses become available) or leaving the license available until an applicant requests it. Commission counsel flagged Chapter 138 (as cited on record) and noted the commission has discretion to consider public-good factors when deciding whether to grant a license to an entity that is not actively operating. The attorney also noted the ABCC generally provides a six-month window for "pocket licenses," but staff said this situation differs because the license has reverted to the city and reissuance is subject to local commission procedure.

Staff asked the commission to consider the matter at the next meeting when all three commissioners are present. Commissioners agreed to add the item to the February agenda for further discussion and to monitor two other licenses currently seeking buyers: the Majestic (renewed, in search of buyer) and the Mexcolito license (renewed by a bankruptcy attorney while searching for a purchaser).

The matter is informational for now; no motion to reissue the NoHo Social license was made at this meeting.