Blount County Beer Board approves on- and off-premises beer permit for Easy Stop Food Mart

The Blount County Beer Board approved, on a second reading, an on- and off-premises beer permit for Easy Stop Food Mart Inc., located at 343531 U.S. Highway 411 South in Maryville. Commissioner French moved to approve the permit, Commissioner Carver seconded, and the clerk recorded eight yes votes with one member absent.

The matter drew brief staff and applicant remarks before the vote. Attorney Craig Garrett administered the applicant oath and reported that Easy Stop Food Mart had submitted a certified distance survey from the sheriff's department indicating no schools, churches or places of public gathering within 1,000 feet and no residences within 300 feet of the proposed location. Garrett recommended approval, saying, "I would recommend to the board that, this applicant meets the criteria for the issuance of beer permit." Applicant John Hunt, identified by board staff as president of Easy Stop Food Mart Inc., told the board he hoped to open "the 20 fifth or maybe a little sooner." After the vote, the clerk told Hunt, "your permit has been approved, and you may pick that up after 09:00 sometime in the morning."

Before considering the permit, the board set the meeting agenda on a motion by Commissioner Carver and a second by Commissioner Davis, and approved minutes for the meeting of July 17, 2025 on a motion by Commissioner Mike Mahan and a second by Commissioner Martin; the clerk recorded eight yes votes on both routine actions. The board concluded with a motion to adjourn by Commissioner Martin, seconded by Commissioner Carver.

The board did not reference a specific local ordinance or state statute on the record; the decision was based on the application materials and the sheriff's certified distance survey presented at the meeting. The board announced that the permit would be available for pickup after 9:00 a.m., and no additional conditions or contingencies were recorded in the transcript.