Madison ALRC approves a slate of liquor licenses, entertainment permits and reorganizations

The Alcohol License Review Committee on July 15 approved a string of new licenses, entity reorganizations and premises changes, forwarding several items to the Common Council with standard conditions or documentation requirements.

Highlights of approvals

- Tacos El Herrero (4222 Easttown Blvd.): Agent Josefina Santiago said the family restaurant serves Mexican food and intends to add liquor (tequila, whiskey) for cocktails. Staff noted two existing conditions — the establishment must meet Madison General Ordinance §38.02’s definition of a restaurant and alcohol sales must cease by midnight — which the applicant accepted. The committee granted a combination license and will forward it to council.

- K Street LLC (Madison’s / Good News Cafe) — change of agent, business name addition and change of license premises: Applicants explained the DBA and agent paperwork needed corrections; Eric Minton (member of the LLC) said he will sign corrected documents and file them with the clerk before Aug. 4. The committee approved items 4 (entity reorganization), 10 (business name change) and 35 (change of premises) by unanimous consent.

- Triple Shift Entertainment LLC: Nicholas, the company’s chief financial officer, said the reorganization increases membership but does not change operations. The committee approved the entity reorganization.

- Madison Local Motive: Applicant Brian Schubat described expanding into an adjacent "train car" and adding outdoor patio seating plus an annual entertainment license. Attorney Zillavi asked for a lease proving control of both train cars; Schubat said he would submit the lease to the clerk. The committee granted the change of premises and a 21-plus entertainment license.

- Cambria Hotel Madison East (Landmark Hotels LLC): Michelle Santek said there will be no day-to-day changes under new ownership; the committee granted the hotel license.

- Kill Devil Rum Club (Atwood Ave.): Applicant Mitchell Torino described a basement speakeasy focused on rum and education; staff clarified karaoke alone does not require an entertainment license. The committee granted the new license.

- Granddad’s Farm Stop (3802 Mineral Point Rd.): Patrick Randolph said the market-and-cafe model will sell Wisconsin-made products and use a beer-and-cider license to feature local breweries; the committee granted the license.

- Osaka (2505 E. Washington Ave.): Applicant confirmed outreach to the alder, police and neighborhood association and corrected unchecked boxes on the application as requested by city attorney; the committee granted the beer-and-wine license.

- Harley’s Liquor and Bait (3838 Atwood Ave.): The applicant experienced a connection drop; after reconnection, Hiran Patel said the business operates locations elsewhere and will follow existing license conditions at this site. Staff and attorney required clarifications about corporate interests and asked the applicant to submit names of affiliated businesses; the committee granted the license with two conditions carried from the prior license: (1) no single-can or single-bottle sales of beer/fermented malt beverages and (2) an exclusion for specialty imported beers and microbrews.

Other business

- The committee approved a long consent agenda of agent changes, entity reorganizations and business name changes at the start of the meeting.

- Members discussed filling subcommittee membership for the operators subcommittee to return with a formal agenda item at the next meeting.

What happens next: Most newly granted licenses will be placed on the Common Council agenda for final action on Aug. 4 where required; applicants were asked to file corrected or supporting paperwork (leases, letters, corporate names) with the City Clerk’s office ahead of that date.