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Tuscaloosa council approves alcohol licenses for two businesses; one vote split over scooter delivery concerns
Summary
The Tuscaloosa City Council approved two retail alcohol licenses for Smack Me LLC (DBA Duffel) and approved on/off-premises licenses for JR Crickets. Police raised concerns about late-night scooter deliveries; one councilmember voted against Duffel’s applications citing scooter problems in the district.
The Tuscaloosa City Council approved alcohol licenses for Smack Me LLC (DBA Duffel) and for Visionaire Venture Group LLC (DBA JR Crickets) during its meeting. The council approved Duffel's off-premises retail beer and off-premises retail table-wine licenses by a 4-2 vote and approved JR Crickets' on/off-premises retail beer and table-wine licenses after a public hearing and a police review that raised no formal objections.
Police and at least one councilmember flagged public-safety concerns related to late-night deliveries to college neighborhoods. Officer Champion of the police department told the council the department "does have concern about delivering anything on scooters at night" and cautioned against riders being in roadways or on sidewalks during late hours.
Duffel (application 25-0568) had been tabled at a prior meeting. The city's ABC representative told the council the required reports were on file and recommended consideration tonight. After the public hearing, with no speakers appearing to oppose or support, the council voted on the beer and table-wine off-premises licenses. The clerk announced the Duffel application was approved 4-2. The council record includes a no vote tied to scooter-related safety concerns in the district.
Separately, Visionaire Venture Group LLC, doing business as JR Crickets (application 25-060A/25-060B), sought retail beer and retail table-wine licenses for an establishment at 1130 University Boulevard, Suite B6. Operating hours described to the council were Sunday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–midnight; Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–3 a.m., with on-premises activity ending at midnight and takeout continuing until 3 a.m. Chief Langan (police) reported no objection after discussions with the applicant, and the council approved the licenses following the public hearing.
The council did not adopt new limits on delivery methods during the meeting. The police statement and the council's split vote on Duffel indicate the issue of late-night alcohol deliveries by scooter remains an expressed concern for some members.
