Madison ALRC approves consent agenda, grants Grama Market entertainment license; several applications referred to December

The Alcohol Licensing Review Committee (ALRC) met Nov. 19 and approved a multi-item consent agenda that included recommendations to grant an operator license, several change-of-agent filings and entity reorganizations. The committee also granted a 21+ entertainment license to Grama Area Hospitality LLC doing business as Grama Market at 756 East Washington Ave and referred several other new-license items to the committee's Dec. 17 meeting for further review.

The consent agenda, read aloud by Jim of the city clerk’s office, listed recommended actions including an operator-license recommendation (item 3), change-of-agent items for North Central Management Inc. and two QuikTrip locations, entity reorganizations for Metcalf LLC and related entities, and a request to extend license issuance beyond a 180-day limit under MGO 38 o 5 for Kai Lau LLC. With a motion and a second, the committee approved the consent agenda without objection.

On item 12, the committee considered a 21+ entertainment license application for Grama Market. Applicant David explained the business is seeking to add quieter live entertainment on Thursday nights (and occasionally Sundays), saying, “At this time, we're just trying to add, Thursday nights. It seems to be kind of a slow night for us. So we're just honestly looking to add, some singles, kind of some, slower jazz music or a few other, smaller band or acts... not looking to do anything later than we're already open now and nothing, you know, super loud or hard rock or anything in that realm.” Committee members asked about sales breakdowns and a small amount of retail CBD product; David said he had pulled sales percentages from his POS system and that food sales have not grown as anticipated. A motion to grant the entertainment license was made, seconded by Miss Clemens, and approved.

Several items were referred to the committee's next regular meeting on Dec. 17. Item 2, an operator license application for Timothy Consigny, was not represented at the meeting; Alder Riviere moved to refer it to the next meeting. Item 15, a new license application for Mad City Lodging LLC (listed in the record as doing business as "the sleep in main / mainstay" at 4802 Tradewinds Parkway, agent Bavin Patel) had a registrant on file who joined Zoom after adjournment; the committee voted to refer that application as well. Staff told an applicant who had amended an application to include liquor that the committee must legally re-notice the amended item before considering beer and liquor together; if the ALRC then recommends grant on Dec. 17, the matter would proceed to the common council on Jan. 13.

The clerk also described a provisional-licensing option if applicants secure required agency sign-offs after an ALRC recommendation: applicants may pay an additional $15 on top of license fees to obtain a provisional license prior to the common council decision.

The ALRC adjourned after the above business. The committee will reconvene on Dec. 17 for the referred items and any newly noticed applications.