After public objections, Jonesboro council approves two private‑club permits

The Jonesboro City Council approved two private‑club permits for on‑premises alcohol service at separate establishments during its Feb. 17 meeting, drawing multiple public comments urging the council to withhold approval.

Scott Hunter, an attorney representing the applicants, answered council questions during both permit discussions. Several residents, including Bob Vester and James Owen Hines, urged the council not to grant at least one permit and asked the council to require a formal statement of findings when motions to approve are made. Vester argued that the community is already "adequately served with alcohol outlets" and asked the council to refrain from making motions that approve permits without recorded findings. "Don't deny it. Just don't grant it," he said of the procedural option to let an application die without a motion.

Council members nonetheless moved, seconded and carried the ordinances to grant the private‑club permits for Monarchas Mexican and for Walk On Sports Bistro. For the Monarchas item, Hunter said he represented Monarchas and was available to answer questions; for Walk On Sports Bistro he clarified the business address as 2809 East Highland Drive.

Why it matters: Alcohol permits often draw public comment because they implicate local 'dry' designations, neighborhood concerns and licensing outcomes at the state level; residents asked the council to explain on the record why it would move to approve a permit when the community has many existing outlets.

What’s next: The permits proceed through the local approval process and may be reviewed by the state Alcohol Beverage Control board; residents urged more on‑the‑record findings from council motions to aid transparency.