The Knoxville Beer Board on July 22, 2025 approved a series of on- and off-premise beer permits for restaurants, markets and event promoters while postponing four applications to the board's August meeting and accepting the withdrawal of one item.

The matters matter because approvals allow businesses and event organizers to sell or serve beer in Knoxville, often contingent on additional requirements such as a certificate of occupancy, health-department approval or surrender of an existing permit.

Board Chair opened the meeting and, after a roll call, said the minutes of the prior meeting would stand as distributed. The board recorded that the BEER Fund balance at the start of the fiscal year is $250,000, and staff said there were no active suspension or revocation hearings.

The board postponed four applicants — listed on the agenda as items 6A through 6D (Casa Mar Mexican Restaurant; El Molino supermarket; Juan's Tacos; and the Pilot Light 20th‑anniversary block party) — to the August meeting after applicants requested postponements. An addendum item for Crown Plaza (9A) was withdrawn.

Several applicants were approved either outright or “approved pending final documentation.” Applicants approved pending final documentation were repeatedly told to return completed materials to the Business Tax Office during regular business hours. Staff and applicants on multiple files said outstanding items commonly included a certificate of occupancy, health-department approval, Department of Agriculture approval for markets, or the surrender of an existing permit.

Event and business approvals noted by the board included Concerts of Our Own (applicant Aaron Snuckles), Irish Fest at Immaculate Conception Church, a TIA concert series at the Laurel Theater, Big Orange Barbecue, Cowboy Cantina, Easy Stop Food Mart, Finn's Irish Restaurant and Tavern, Flock Beer and Wine, Knoxville Sport Bar and Lounge (referred for rehearing — see separate report), several grocery and market locations, Sprouts Farmers Market, Tokyo Sushi & Steakhouse and Woodruff Brewery and Grill (both on-premise and manufacturer/distributor applications). Many approvals were recorded as motions with the board announcing “Ayes have it.”

Applicants and board members repeatedly referenced their server-compliance plans. Council members and other board members praised measures such as staff review at the beginning of every shift, ID scanners, mystery-shopper or secret-shop programs, and regular staff training. Councilman Roberto and others specifically commended businesses for adding ID‑scanning and written checklists.

Chair and staff repeatedly reminded applicants that “approved pending final documentation” means one or more requirements remain outstanding and must be delivered to the Business Tax Office; Mr. Byrd of the Business Tax Office and Mr. Johnson from Building Inspections were cited as staff contacts. Officer Presley, the board’s beer inspector, repeatedly reported “no record” for applicants where investigators had no adverse history on file.

The meeting concluded after the board addressed remaining agenda items and set the postponed items for the August meeting. A separate rehearing was set for Knoxville Sport Bar and Lounge after staff found contradictory ownership paperwork (see separate article).