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Franklin beer board approves permits for multiple festivals and two business applications
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Summary
At its March 24 meeting the Franklin City Beer Board unanimously approved a slate of special‑event beer permits — including the Whiskey Warmer and Main Street Festival — and cleared two business permits: an off‑premise market (Desi Mart) and a change‑of‑ownership permit for Amendment 18 LLC.
The Franklin City Beer Board on March 24 unanimously approved beverage permits for a series of spring‑through‑winter festivals on the downtown square and in city parks, and granted two business beer permits, the board chair said.
Staff presented each application as meeting inspection and training requirements and recommended approval. "The application and inspections are complete, so staff is recommending approval," Jessica Davey, billing and licensing director, told the board before votes.
The board approved a West Haven Foundation application for the Whiskey Warmer at the West Haven Golf Club (SKUBE Center outdoor area) on March 28, 2026, 5–8 p.m. Christie Bryant, managing agent for the event, said it is the event's 11th year, will be ticketed 21‑and‑older, and will use fenced service areas with third‑party security, lifeguard coverage and Williamson Health EMS on site. "We have third party security on‑site, a mix of armed and unarmed," Bryant said.
The board also approved Heritage Foundation permits for the Main Street Festival (April 25–26), the Heritage Ball (Sept. 12), Pumpkin Fest (Oct. 24–25) and the Dickens of a Christmas market (Dec. 12–13). Jamie Smith of the Heritage Foundation said beer service at Main Street Festival will be fenced in two locations on the square and staffed with security. Smith told members staff reviews prior years' performance as part of the permit process.
Leadership Franklin received approval for a 30th‑anniversary event at Bicentennial Park in July; Paula Harris, executive director, said the event will introduce Leadership Franklin's class and will work with parks and police on security. Board members asked staff and organizers to consider air‑flow or cooling options for a July event.
The Boys & Girls Club's Wind Down Main Street anniversary (Nov. 7) also won approval. Denise Carruthers, managing agent, said last year drew visitors from 26 states and three countries and that security and licensing arrangements are in place.
For business permits, the board approved an off‑premise beer permit for KVM India Mart LLC d/b/a Desi Mart at 101 International Drive. "We give instructions to the staff... to check the IDs," the applicant, Kesho, said, describing ID checks and TABC training. Staff noted the owners already operate Cafe India and Persis Indian Grill in Franklin.
The board also approved a new permit for Amendment 18 LLC at 317 Main Street following an ownership change. Owner Tim Avoncs said the business has operated in downtown Franklin since October 2023 and that the new ownership completed staff training; he said all staff hold TABC licenses and undergo the business's written training.
All motions were made and seconded and passed by roll call with votes recorded as Alderman Barnhill: yes; Alderman Caesar: yes; and the chair: yes. No votes against, abstentions or recusals were recorded.
The meeting closed with no citizen comments and an adjournment after other business time elapsed.
