Knoxville Beer Board approves multiple permits, refers one business to revocation hearing after missed seller training

The Knoxville Beer Board met July 21 and approved a slate of special and regular beer permits while moving one delinquent permittee toward a suspension or revocation hearing.

Officer Presley told the board that on July 14 the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC) conducted compliance checks at 14 local establishments and that six of those sites sold alcohol to an underage buyer. "They visited the 14 establishments here in the city," Presley said, and named several of the businesses checked. The report preceded routine permit actions and a clerk's update showing the BEER fund balance was "a little over $290,000" at the start of the fiscal year.

Board members approved a range of event and permanent permits. The board unanimously approved a special-event permit for Concerts for Our Own; Aaron Snuckles, the applicant, said the Sept. 11 tribute concert will give first responders free admission and that the group hopes to hand the Knoxville Safety Foundation a $25,000 check. Other approvals included large community events (1st Lutheran's Germanfest and Immaculate Conception's Irish Fest), Saint George Greek Fest, and a series of regular permits, many carried with the condition "approved pending final documentation" where staff noted outstanding certificates of occupancy, health-department approvals or surrender of existing permits.

The board also handled scheduling and timeline requests. Brian Coakley of 808 Music Group asked to delay final approval until inspections and licensing were complete; the board extended that applicant's deadline to the Sept. 15 meeting. Several applicants were told they need only submit final documentation to the business tax office to avoid returning to the board.

On enforcement, board members reviewed letters sent to permittees who have not completed the city's annual alcohol seller training (CAS class). Officer Presley said staff records show Suttris last attended the class on May 23, 2024, and has not completed the requirement since. After discussion, a board member moved to refer Suttris to a suspension/revocation hearing; the board voted and the motion carried.

Procedural items and routine approvals dominated most of the meeting; when applicants lacked required documents the board commonly approved permits "pending final documentation" and reminded applicants they may submit completed documents to staff to receive certificates of compliance without returning. The meeting adjourned after the board referred the noncompliant permittee for further enforcement action.