Kennesaw council approves three alcohol licenses; Suburban Bar owner outlines rebrand and patio plans

The Kennesaw City Council unanimously approved three retail alcohol licenses Monday night: a package beer and wine license for RK Gas and Food Inc. d/b/a Food Mart; a retail pouring license for SPC Kennesaw Inc. d/b/a Suburban Bar; and a retail pouring license for Antoland LLC d/b/a Antolandia. Each approval was contingent on routine administrative requirements that the finance director said were on file.

The nut graf: council members said applications were complete, posted and advertised and that distance surveys and background checks were on file; one license (Antolandia) was within the prescribed setback from a private residence and was considered under the city's distance waiver provision (Section 642).

For RK Gas and Food Inc., the finance director reported that the applicant had completed the required alcohol workshop, required signs were posted and background check results were on file, and a certified distance survey showed the business was not within a disqualifying distance set by ordinance. Councilor Madeline moved to approve the license and Council member Antonio seconded; the motion passed by unanimous vote.

SPC Kennesaw Inc., which operates as Suburban Bar at 2718 Summer Street, also received council approval. Michael Udetas, the applicant, said he has been in the Kennesaw community since 2018 and is the owner of Pizano's Pizza. He told the council he plans to rebrand Suburban Bar, add dinner and light‑eat options drawn from his Pizano's menu and build a large outdoor patio with garage doors to create a “speakeasy type of vibe.” He said the goal is “to be a restaurant and a bar with craft cocktails and different light eats.”

A city official reminded the council that a prior consent order from the Lisonbee Review Board allowed the previous ownership to continue operating under the Suburban Bar name, which explained the continued use of that name until the new license was approved. The official also said citations were written recently but that the new applicant was authorized to operate pending the council's action.

Antoland LLC d/b/a Antolandia applied for a retail pouring license for beer and Sunday sales. The finance director reported that a distance survey indicated the business is within 3,300 feet of a private residence. The council reviewed Section 642 of the municipal code, which the finance director summarized as allowing the mayor and council to waive the distance requirement if the council determines that granting the license will not adversely affect the quiet enjoyment of nearby residents. The finance director recommended approval. The council voted to approve the license 4‑0, with Tracy absent.

Each applicant had completed the city's required alcohol workshop, signs had been posted, and the applications and background checks were on file, the finance director said. No conditions or special limitations were recorded in the meeting minutes beyond the standard application requirements and the council's vote to approve.

The council recorded approvals by voice/hand vote; the record notes Tracy Buyers was absent for the votes. No further action on these items was recorded at the meeting.