Committee recommends approval of Class B and C licenses for BB Sports Cards

The Appleton Safety & Licensing Committee recommended approval of both a Class B fermented malt beverage license and a Class C wine license for BB Sports Cards LLC on Wednesday, voting 5-0 to forward the application to the full City Council.

BB Sports Cards, which operates at 2310 West College Avenue Unit A, applied for both licenses. Benji Baker, who said he is representing the business (his wife Diana is the named agent), told the committee the store functions as a modern hobby/entertainment venue with lounge seating, large televisions, live “breaks” and rental nights for fantasy-football drafts and birthday parties, and that alcohol sales would support that model.

Clerk Mollader and committee members discussed whether state law specifically restricts a Class B license for this type of establishment. The clerk’s memo and a subsequent explanation from municipal counsel noted that Wisconsin Statute 125.32(3)(m) applies restrictions to Class B fermented malt beverage licenses but does not automatically bar every nontraditional retail use; the memo said a Class C wine license is less restricted. City counsel (Attorney Berwin) told the committee the statutes contain carve-outs for certain recreational premises and novelty/gift-shop-style operations and that the committee has discretion to interpret whether a specific business fits those categories.

Committee members debated the fit of the business model with the statutes and comparable examples (axe-throwing and golf-simulator venues were discussed). Several alderpersons said the store’s regular organized gaming and large-group events looked like a recreational premise rather than a simple retail shop and expressed support for approval. After discussion the committee voted to approve the application as submitted.

The committee’s approval is contingent on the usual administrative checks: pending health-inspection and public-works approvals listed on the clerk’s memo. The recommendation will go to the full City Council at its next meeting; committee members encouraged the applicant to sign up for public participation at that meeting.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Approve Class B and Class C license applications for BB Sports Cards LLC (DBA BB Sports Cards), agent Diana Baker, location 2310 W. College Ave., Unit A; contingent on health and public-works approvals. - Outcome: Recommended to City Council (5–0)

What’s next: The matter goes to the full City Council; the committee’s vote is a recommendation, not the final licensing decision.