Smyrna beer board grants off-premise permit to On Top LLC (Smyrna Tobacco and Vape)

The Town of Smyrna Beer Board on Oct. 13 approved an off-premise beer permit transfer for On Top LLC, which will operate as Smyrna Tobacco and Vape.

Applicant George Gurgis told the board he is purchasing an existing tobacco and vape business that already holds a beer license and described plans for staffing, hours and age verification. "My name is George Gurgis. It's my first time to get a beer license," Gurgis said, adding he will buy an existing business and use an ID scanner to verify customers' ages.

The board opened a public hearing and heard from Gurgis on ownership, staffing and hours. Gurgis said the business ownership is split among three people, that a partner will serve as manager, and that the store will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. He said he plans to use an ID scanner and train the owners and manager on checking identification. A board member asked whether the single on-site employee would staff the full hours; Gurgis responded that the manager would run the store and that the three owners would cover shifts as needed.

After closing the public hearing, a board member moved to approve the off-premise permit application; another member seconded the motion. The board voted to approve the application; the chair told the applicant the license "has been granted" and that he could pick it up after 10 a.m. the following day.

The approval was a transfer/issuance of an off-premise beer permit for an existing retail tobacco and vape store. No conditions or compliance deadlines were announced on the record. Board staff indicated the applicant should collect the license the next morning.

The board then moved to the next agenda item.