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Franklin beer board approves permits for a slate of events and several ownership transfers
Summary
At its May 12 meeting, the Franklin City Beer Board unanimously approved beer permits for multiple special events (including Saddle Up’s Music Country Grand Prix and the city’s July 4 fireworks) and approved ownership or permit transfers for several downtown and retail alcohol businesses, some contingent on certificates of occupancy.
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — The Franklin City Beer Board voted unanimously on May 12 to approve a package of beer permits for special events and to grant ownership or permit transfers for several businesses, the board said during a roughly 30‑minute session at the Williamson County Auditorium.
The board approved an application from Saddle Up for the Music Country Grand Prix at Brownland Farm on May 30, 2026. Tina Donninger, the event’s managing agent, said the 38th annual Hunter Jumper equestrian competition is ticketed and wristbanded, uses ABC‑licensed bartenders and typically draws about 450 attendees. “It’s kind of a wash and repeat for what we’ve been doing for as many years as we’ve been doing it,” Donninger said.
Staff recommended approval of several Friends of Franklin Parks events at Harlandale Farm, and the board granted beer permits for a May 29 polo match (Battle of the Bourbons), a July 4 fireworks celebration, a July 10–11 Roundup Rodeo, a Raise the Roof fundraising event on Aug. 22 and a Twilight Polo match on Aug. 29. Kelly Baker, managing agent for Friends of Franklin Parks, told the board proceeds from alcohol sales support the parks nonprofit; she said Raise the Roof typically sells out and expects about 600 attendees. A board member noted the city’s plans for a large 250th‑anniversary fireworks show and urged servers to pace service to avoid overserving.
The board also approved business‑level permit actions: - A transfer for Graze on Main after a change in ownership; Cam Harrington said Graze has operated on Main Street for 13 years and that servers are being trained and certified (Harrington stated the operation employs roughly 60 staff, with 10–15 ABC‑certified servers). Staff recommended and the board approved the transfer. - A new on‑premises permit for Station Pizzeria Brentwood LLC at 7007 Morris Lane; the board approved the permit contingent on the applicant obtaining a certificate of occupancy, as staff indicated that CO documentation remained outstanding. - Approval for Bravado (formerly Honeysuckle) pending a certificate of occupancy; owner Carolyn Black said she intends to reopen the location with largely the same staff that operated the prior business. - An ownership change for Whiskey Wonderland (off‑premises sales), with managing agent Haral Patel telling the board that staff are TABC certified and the store maintains strict ID policies.
Jessica Davy, billing and licensing director, told the board that inspections and applications for the items on the agenda were complete and recommended approval where appropriate. Each motion was moved, seconded and approved by roll‑call vote; Alderman Barnhill, Alderman Caesar and the board chair voted yes on the recorded items.
The board had no citizen comments and no additional business before adjourning. The meeting opened at 4:30 p.m. and concluded after the adjournment motion.
