Town of Smyrna Beer Board approves off-premise permit for Sip and Smoke Shop

The Town of Smyrna Beer Board on June 2 approved an off-premise beer permit for Sip and Smoke Shop, a business that owner Sema Farouk said she is taking over and plans to open once the permit is issued.

At a public hearing, Sema Farouk introduced herself as the owner and described staffing and hours for the proposed store. "We open 06:00 in the morning, and we close at 11:00," Farouk said, adding that weekend hours would differ: "Sunday, we open 08:00 till 11, and Saturday, we open 07:00 till 11." She told the board she would keep the three current employees "for now" and serve as manager.

The board asked about age verification. Farouk said employees will check IDs visually and with a point-of-sale scanning system, and that the store will sell tobacco products as well as beer. "We have a system we can scan an ID, and we make sure it's 21 and older to get a beer," she said.

Amber, a town staff member handling permitting, said she did not know whether a prior license had been issued at that location. After closing the hearing, a member moved to approve the off-premise permit; the motion was seconded and the board voted by voice to approve. The chair announced the permit had been approved and told Farouk when to pick up payment and documentation.

The board record notes the approval followed discussion of hours, staffing and ID-check procedures; the action was a voice vote with no opposition recorded.

The decision allows Farouk to begin operations once required fees are paid and any final administrative steps are completed.