Chattanooga Beer Board approves four new beer permits

The Chattanooga Beer Board on Feb. 20, 2025, approved four new beer permits for local businesses, including a Hamilton Place hotel, a Murphy USA convenience store, a Saint Elmo neighborhood music venue and a Georgia Avenue restaurant.

The approvals were unanimous in roll-call votes. Board members asked applicants about age verification, staff training and where alcohol would be sold on each property before voting.

Representing Vision Hospitality Management LLC, Alex Ray, general manager at the property, told the board the permit request for Tru Chattanooga Hamilton Place at 7008 Shallowford Road is driven by a “brand standard by Hilton to have beer to be sold to the guest.” Ray said the hotel has 90 rooms, that beer would be sold from a locked area in the hotel’s retail area and that sales would be limited to registered guests. He said front-desk staff will be trained; the board discussed confirming ABC (Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission) training for staff. The board approved the hotel’s permit by roll call (Christie: yes; Veronica: yes; Ron: yes; Reginald: yes; Betsy: yes; chair: yes).

Jill Jenkins, representing Murphy…