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Council approves beer-and-wine license for Taos Valley Lodge with service conditions
Summary
The Town Council granted an on‑premises restaurant beer-and-wine license to Taos Valley Lodge Hospitality LLC for 615 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur after a public hearing and applicant testimony about controls to keep alcohol service within licensed areas.
The Town of Taos Council on July 22 approved an on‑premises restaurant beer‑and‑wine liquor license for Taos Valley Lodge Hospitality LLC, a license that permits alcoholic beverage service in the restaurant and designated service areas at 615 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur.
Attorney Lisa Cosper and owner Vamsi Der Marjati appeared at the public hearing to answer council questions about operations and safeguards. Der Marjati said the main dining menu will be served midday through evening and described staffing and door control practices to prevent alcohol being removed from licensed areas. "We will have a dedicated resource…at the door to make sure nobody takes any of the beverage out of the dining area," Der Marjati told the council.
Background and public‑safety concerns: Council members had raised concerns at an earlier meeting about hotel guests removing alcohol from the licensed service area into guest rooms. Town staff confirmed state ABC rules limit sales and consumption to controlled, licensed areas unless an exception applies; ABC also conditionally approved the application. The clerk and staff compared the requested service area to other local hotels that hold dispenser or package licenses.
Council action and vote: After the public hearing and applicant testimony, a motion to approve the restaurant beer‑and‑wine license passed. Roll call was recorded as: Council Member Ortega (yes), Council Member Fernandez (yes), Mayor Pro Tem (yes), Council Member Oswald (yes). The license will be subject to applicable state regulations and ABC renewal requirements, which include annual review of the food‑to‑alcohol revenue ratio.
Operational oversight and compliance: Staff noted the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division requires licensees to keep records demonstrating at least 60 percent of restaurant revenues come from food (measured from approval to renewal). The council discussed operational controls for the Lodge’s “enchantment room” reserved events and the espresso bar; the applicant said reserved, staffed events would be served by dedicated servers.
Next steps: The applicant will operate under state ABC rules and will be required to show compliance at renewal. Town staff will rely on the ABC and the license conditions for enforcement.
