Months after council requested a hearing contesting Chipotle’s liquor license request in October, the Department of Commerce announced they would not block the restaurant’s request for a liquor license.
Despite efforts made by Athens City Council members, Chipotle Mexican Grille, 41 S. Court St., might soon be able to serve beers and margaritas along with its burritos.
The original request for a D5 liquor license — which would allow the restaurant to serve liquor until 2:30 a.m. — was filed in October, but reached a roadblock later that month when council members requested a hearing objecting to the request.
March 9, the Ohio Department of Commerce sent an official order to Clerk of Council Debbie Walker stating that the Division of Liquor Control would not uphold council’s objection to the liquor permit request.
According to the order, council members can appeal the decision within 30 days.
However, Council President Chris Knisely said council would not pursue an appeal.
“The formal consent last week was that no one raised an issue,” she said.
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According to the order, council “was unable to present sufficient evidence to show that the applicant is unfit to engage in the retail sale of alcoholic beverages” or that the permit would “adversely impact the peace, sobriety and good order of the community.”
Division of Liquor Control spokesman Matt Mullins said in a previous Post report that there are many factors that could result in an upheld objection, including a high number of police runs to the objected area.
“I’m hopeful that they’ll be safe,” Knisely said. “Council is concerned because of the incidents of uptown violence that happen in the area.
Council members said they were concerned a liquor license would turn Chipotle into another uptown bar, according to previous Post reports.
Councilwoman Jennifer Cochran, D-at large, previously likened Athens to the “Wild West.”
Knisely said that police testified at the January hearing that most uptown violence happens around bars.
“We’re hopeful they’ll be responsible,” she said.
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