Smyrna board approves three liquor-license agent changes, including Kroger store

The Smyrna License and Variance Board on Jan. 8 approved three privileged-license agent change requests for alcohol sales at retail locations in the city, voting unanimously to accept each new named agent.

The approvals cover: Prohibition Liquor and Wine at 3150 Highlands Parkway, Suite 202 (Randy Earl Banks as agent); The Kroger Company at 3240 South Cobb Drive (Steven Michael Aldridge Jr. as agent); and Johnny’s Pizza at 1435 Highland Ridge Road, Suite A (Kinjal “Ken” Patel as agent).

Board Chair Andrea Worthy, director of economic development, confirmed that required background checks and the training certificates were on file for each candidate before the board took votes. Staff told the board they had documentation that applicants completed state- and city-required seller/server training and that police will continue to perform periodic compliance checks.

Randy Earl Banks, who identified himself as the new owner/operator of the Prohibition Liquor and Wine location, said he had been training with the prior owner and “have consulted with attorneys to be aware of the compliance… what to look for, what to ask for.” He told the board he plans to be in the store regularly and train existing employees.

Steven Michael Aldridge Jr., one of the store leaders for Kroger and the proposed agent for that store, said the Kroger policy is to request identification for alcohol purchases for every customer and that employees complete web-based training and annual refreshers. “Everybody is ID’d no matter the age,” Aldridge said.

Kinjal Patel, who said he operates two other Johnny’s Pizza locations and would be the owner-operator at the Smyrna location, described a management system in which shift leads and managers verify IDs and handle uncertain cases. He said staff meet regularly to review scenarios and training.

Each license motion was called, seconded and passed unanimously. The board recorded the approvals after confirming applicants understood city expectations for agent responsibilities and the potential repercussions for noncompliance.

Votes at a glance

- License 2020Five-one — Prohibition Liquor and Wine, 3150 Highlands Parkway, Suite 202; agent: Randy Earl Banks; outcome: approved (unanimous). - License 2025-002 — The Kroger Company, 3240 South Cobb Drive; agent: Steven Michael Aldridge Jr.; outcome: approved (unanimous). - License 2020Five-four — Johnny’s Pizza, 1435 Highland Ridge Road, Suite A; agent: Kinjal (Ken) Patel; outcome: approved (unanimous).

The board moved on to other agenda items after completing the agent-change approvals.