Tag Archives: ABC

ABC says licenses issued to most WIGS applicants

News release from Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission
The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission announced today that it delivered, in less than one week, retail food store licenses to over 50% of grocery stores in the state applying to sell wine by July 1st.

With less than two weeks to go, the ABC has also issued conditional “letters of approval” to nearly 80% of grocery store applicants. Stores holding a conditional “letter of approval” are authorized to accept delivery and stock wine. Grocery stores without a letter of approval are either missing required documentation or were submitted closer to the upcoming rollout.

State legislators and industry representatives in previous weeks had expressed concern over the rollout of wine in grocery stores given the unexpected departure of the previous Executive Director just three months before the new law takes effect.

However, as of last week, the commission had received 499 applications, sent 398 letters of approval, and delivered 279 retail food store licenses. In other words, 70% of grocery stores holding a letter of approval have received a license in hand as of today, which is issued, effective, and post-dated to the date of July 1st. These stores will be authorized to sell wine effective 8:00 a.m. on July 1st. The ABC expects to deliver additional licenses to the remaining qualified stores in the next two weeks.

“We are so pleased that we have completed all the necessary requirements of the application process, and will have all 72 of our eligible stores licensed and ready to sell wine on July 1st”, said Melissa Eads, Kroger Nashville division spokesperson. “We are thankful to the ABC and the Tennessee Legislature for their leadership in bringing wine to retail food stores in Tennessee. Wine has been one of the most requested items in our stores for years, so we know our customers are looking forward to this as well.”

On May 24th, the Commissioners of the ABC appointed Clayton Byrd to serve as its Executive Director. “The staff at the ABC is working tirelessly to process applications, communicate with applicants, conduct site inspections, and verify statutory compliance with documentation.” Byrd said. “I’m committed to the success of this rollout and I’m proud of our team. This commission will continue to work diligently with the industry and in a business friendly manner to ensure continued success.”

Alcoholic Beverage Commission hires new executive director

The state Alcoholic Beverage Commission has selected attorney Clay Byrd as its new executive director, reports The Tennessean.

Byrd, 31, previously served as assistant general counsel for the Tennessee Comptroller of the Secretary. Before that, he worked as an attorney for the legislature, where he helped develop alcohol regulations.

Byrd, who will officially start in two weeks, will take over for Ginna Winfree, who entered the position on an interim basis in late March after then-executive director Keith Bell abruptly resigned.

Although the reasons for Bell’s departure remain unclear, some worried the timing could complicate the rollout of the new wine in grocery stores law.

Further complicating matters, Winfree was expected to join Nashville-based law firm Gullett Sanford Robinson and Martin, a firm with several attorneys and lobbyists who work on alcohol-related issues. Winfree was set to join the law firm in April but opted to serve as interim executive director of the commission until a new one was selected.

After Byrd was congratulated by Mary McDaniel, who serves as chairwoman of the three-member commission, for his selection, he promised to be “business friendly, objective and fair.”

McDaniel later told The Tennessean that Byrd was one of more than 20 applicants for the position.

Byrd said he understands people are keeping a close eye on the rollout of the wine in grocery stores law, while offering assurances that he will work quickly to ensure its success.

“This is a large undertaking,” he said. “I saw it as an avenue to contribute to the public good, and that’s the reason I got involved in public service to begin with.”

State ABC chief resigns with WIGS work hanging

Keith Bell, named executive director of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission in 2013, has abruptly announced his resignation from the position in an email to legislators and lobbyists, reports The Tennessean.

The resignation comes with the ABC facing a heavy workload as it prepares for the beginning of wine sales in grocery store starting July 1. And the No. 2 administrator at the ABC is planning to leave in April.

“It’s unfortunate that he’s resigning at this point, because of the need for stability in the department,” said (Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Bill) Ketron, adding he was “shocked” at Bell’s resignation.

“We didn’t need any instability only 90 days away from implementation from that piece of legislation going into effect.”

Bell notified lawmakers and lobbyists of his decision in an email Thursday. In the email, obtained by The Tennessean, Bell gives few details as to the reason for his departure. He has been executive director of the agency since 2013.

“I have enjoyed my time with each of you and appreciate all your hard work. Keep up the good jobs y’all are doing and thank you,” Bell said in the email.

…Commission Assistant Director Gina Winfree is set to temporarily lead the commission, according to an announcement emailed by Nashville-based law firm Gullett Sanford Robinson & Martin, a firm with several attorneys and lobbyists who focus on alcohol-related issues. But Winfree won’t remain at the commission for long: She’s set to join GSRM as an attorney at some point in late April, according to the firm.

…”Hopefully, the administration and the board will find a new director with a strong administrative and enforcement background, but someone who will not be as egregious in punitive fines for all sectors of the industry,” said Randy Rayburn, a longtime Nashville restaurant executive who owns Midtown Cafe and Cabana.

Leading the ABC is a tough position that easily puts a person at odds with different parts of the industry, said Nashville attorney Will Cheek. Although Cheek, a food and beverage attorney at Bone McAllester Norton, said Bell leaves big shoes to fill, he said the departure may signal the ABC isn’t ready for the influx of applications.

“He may have left now before the train wreck happens,” Cheek said.

Gov, legislators strike deal on appointing liquor regulators

Legislators have struck a deal with Gov. Bill Haslam on control of appointments to the state Alcoholic Beverage Commission, according to Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Bill Ketron.

Ketron announced the compromise to the Senate State and Local Government Committee last week in presenting an amendment to SB2095. The measure was then unanimously approved by the panel.

Under current law, the governor appoints all three members of the ABC, which regulates the state’s system for sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages — except beer, which is mostly left to local governments.

As introduced, the bill would have expanded the number of commission members from seven, letting the governor keep three appointments but giving the speakers of the House and Senate two appointments each. The governor’s appointees would thus become a minority on the panel with legislative appointees holding a 4-3 majority.

As amended, the bill will instead expand the commission to five members — the governor keeping three appointees and each speaker getting one appointment. Haslam will thus keep a majority of the appointments, Ketron said, but legislators will “have more eyes working with the (ABC executive) director … to give him more direction” with the state’s alcoholic beverage industry in an expansion mode.

To avoid increasing taxpayer costs, Ketron said, the bill also reduces the payment to ABC members from $500 for every ABC meeting “whether they show up or not” to $300 per meeting. And there’s a provision that says any member missing more than half of ABC meetings in a calendar year will lose his or her seat.

Ketron said — “no offense to the current members” — that in five of the ABC regular monthly meetings during 2014 only two commissioners attended; and that in 2015, there were six meetings with only two commissioners on hand.

State to Pay $13 Million to Keep ‘Nashville’ Filming in Nashville

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The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development has approved a grant of up to $12.5 million to support the local production of ABC’s Nashville, reports The City Paper.
Mayor Karl Dean has also agreed, on behalf of Metro, to provide a $500,000 cash grant for the production of the show, something that Dean’s office has previously referred to as advertising the city can’t buy.
There had been speculation about the possibility of the show leaving Nashville for its second season, but ABC confirmed last week that the show would remain in its title city.
“Nashville offers a valuable international platform to showcase our state’s dynamic entertainment industry, while providing a confluence of film and music that is unique only to Tennessee,” ECD Commissioner Bill Hagerty said in a release from the department. “Promoting and assisting this thriving business sector is an integral part of our state’s economic development efforts. From our rich musical heritage to our talented artists and crew, Tennessee’s entertainment industry is second to none. I am pleased Nashville producers recognize the value of filming in Music City, and I look forward to another great season.”
ECD noted that the grant will be based on “qualified expenditures,” defined as “those incurred in the state for goods or services purchased from a Tennessee vendor or paid to a Tennessee resident in connection with the production.”
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. and the Event Marketing Fund will each contribute a cash grant of $125,000. The production is expected to generate more than $40 million in local spending, according to ECD.
“Small and large Nashville businesses have benefited greatly from the local filming of Nashville, not only from the direct spending related to the show but also from the worldwide attention this show has generated for our city and our state. With beautiful scenic shots of our landscape and the portrayal of our unique music scene, more people, without a doubt, are visiting our city and spending their money here because they’ve seen this hour-long commercial for Music City that airs every week during primetime,” said Dean, in a prepared statement. “The city’s investment in Nashville this season is a recognition that this show benefits our local economy and is opening doors to further grow the film and television industry here.”

More on ABC’s Alcohol-Soaked Fruit Flap

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A controversy over the state Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s move to ban restaurants from soaking fruits and the like in booze to create a mixed drink (previous post HERE) is getting more attention… and may be left for legislators to resolve.
From WPLN:
The issue centers on who’s allowed to make infusions–where an ingredient like fruit soaks in alcohol to flavor it, often for several days. Tennessee’s ABC says in looking back at a law from 2006, it found that in some cases, making infusions requires a distiller’s license, which restaurants can’t get.
In an email, the commission says despite what some people fear, the rule does not apply to drinks like margaritas or sangria. But Nashville lawyer Will Cheek warns restaurants that infuse liquors don’t want to risk having their license pulled.
“If you’ve got pineapple and fruit sitting in a vat of vodka, you need to be pulling that stuff out–it needs to be gone by July 1st.”
When the Tennessee Hospitality Association sent a letter arguing the commission is misinterpreting the rule, Cheek signed on, representing a couple major restaurant chains. If the commission won’t budge, Cheek says the matter could end up before state lawmakers next year.
And this excerpt from Cari Wade Gervin’s thorough review of the dispute, its history and ramifications:
Bell says he’d be fine with a law change–he says he’s encouraging people to look at newly passed legislation in Iowa that better regulates “Mixed Drinks or Cocktails Not For Immediate Consumption.” But according to the Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division, that law requires pre-mixed batches of drinks to be disposed of within 72 hours if not consumed. Bars are also required to keep records–for three years–detailing when each and every batch is made and disposed of, along with the recipe, the ingredients, and the names of the person who made the batch and the person who disposed of it.
We asked Sohn if this seemed like a practical solution. She laughed loudly.
“Yeah, no,” Sohn says. “It would be very wasteful. … If they changed it to that, we probably still wouldn’t bother with infusions.”
Scanlan says he hopes TABC will reconsider its actions, but Bell doesn’t seem inclined to do so.
“I’m going to have to apply the law as it is right now,” Bell says. “I’m pretty certain we’ll start issuing citations sometime in the next few weeks.”
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See also a Chattanooga Free Press editorial, opining that “the fun police are back, and this time they have their sights set on making sure that you won’t be able to sit back and enjoy a house-infused liquor at your favorite restaurant or neighborhood bar.”

ABC To Begin Enforcing 2006 Law Banning Pre-Mixed Drinks at Restaurants

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A 2006 law that bans Tennessee restaurants from infusing alcohol with food products, even non-alcoholic beverages, will be enforced by the state Alcoholic Beverage Commission starting July 1, reports WKRN-TV.
The ban covers flavored liquor, such as infused whiskey, and pre-made mixed drinks, like margaritas.
In less than two weeks, each drink will have to be made to order when the ban by the Tennessee Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC) becomes effective.
The new head of the TABC, Keith Bell, plans to enforce the 2006 law. Only licensed distilleries will be able to perform the practice.
Restaurant owners like Josh Rew, who is opening a French bistro in a few weeks in Whites Creek, planned to have a produce-driven infusion cocktail on his menu. He said the new enforcement will set back Nashville’s cultural scene and could hurt his and other restaurant owners’ bottom line.
“If you are able to prep, then you can definitely get drinks out quicker. You can do higher volume, which means your profit margin goes up. People are happier, more word of mouth, and it definitely snow balls, but it could snowball in the other direction as well,” said Rew of the up and coming Chelsea Bistro.
The TABC cites health and safety concerns when restaurants infuse alcohol.
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And, from WPLN:
In an email, the commission says despite what some people fear, the rule does not apply to drinks like margaritas or sangria. But Nashville lawyer Will Cheek warns restaurants that infuse liquors don’t want to risk having their license pulled.
“If you’ve got pineapple and fruit sitting in a vat of vodka, you need to be pulling that stuff out–it needs to be gone by July 1st.”

Campfield’s ‘Pressure Cooker’ Joke Draws National Media Attention

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Sen. Stacey Campfield is drawing national media attention again, this time for a blog post joke calling for “pressure cooker control” after pressure cookers were fashioned into bombs for the Boston marathon explosions that killed three people.
The unapologetic Campfield had an interview/argument with CNN’s Piers Morgan on Thursday, saying he was “just pointing out the hypocrisy of the left” and comparing gun control as a curb to violence to “spoon control” to curb obesity.
He also got in a few digs at Morgan, such as: “When are you going to move back to England? People in Tennessee are dying to know.” (Video HERE)
And here’s an excerpt from an ABC News story, which notes the blog post had a photo of a pressure cooker with “Assault Pressure Cooker (APC)” printed below it.:
The photo had labels and arrows pointing to all of the pot’s “dangerous” features including a “muzzle break thingy that goes ‘up'” and a “tactical pistol grip.”
It’s also described as “large-capacity, can cook for hours without reloading” and the color was “evil, black.”
The blog post was titled, “Here comes Feinstein again,” an apparent dig at Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), one of the leading proponents in the battle for gun control. The image implied that pressure cookers might be her next target.
Two pressure cookers were turned into bombs in the Boston Marathon bombing that killed three people and wounded more than 260 people.
Campfield dismisses the criticism.
“I think it’s tasteless when Obama will drag everybody he can up to Capitol Hill and try to pass gun control,” Campfield told ABCNews.com today. “I think that was classless and tasteless. I don’t hear them complaining about that too much.”
“I was showing the hypocrisy of Diane Feinstein, the gun grabbers, of their inability to realize that it is a person that does activity, not an inanimate object, be it a gun or a pressure cooker,” he said.

State Will Pay Up to $7.5 Million for a TV Show About Nashville

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News release from Department of Economic and Community Development:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) announced today that it has approved a grant of up to $7.5 million for the “Nashville” television show that will film in Music City and premier on ABC this fall.
The reimbursable grant will be based on the production’s actual qualified expenditures made in Tennessee. Qualified expenditures are those incurred in the state for goods or services purchased from a Tennessee vendor or paid to a Tennessee resident in connection with the production.
“We are taking a new approach to one of Tennessee’s strongest and most unique businesses, the entertainment industry,” Commissioner Bill Hagerty, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, said. “Gov. Bill Haslam has made a concerted effort to fold the film and music sectors into our department and make them a part of the state’s regular economic goals and initiatives.
“The unique confluence of film and music that ‘Nashville’ offers is central to our aim of highlighting Tennessee’s great strength as a center of creative excellence in the music industry,” Hagerty added. “Additionally, the consistent employment afforded Tennesseans as a result of this multi-episode series will result in constructive training and talent development and longer term employment for Tennessee’s entertainment industry.”
Pre-production on the series, which will be filmed in and around Nashville, has already begun with principal photography slated to begin mid-July. “Nashville” is expected to employ more than 350 Tennessee residents in various crew positions. Additionally, much of the musical scoring, recording and publishing will be done in Music City.
“Nashville” stars Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights,” “American Horror Story”) as Rayna James, a country music legend, and Hayden Panettiere (“Heroes”) as Juliette Barnes, a young up-and-coming star. Also starring in the series are Powers Boothe (“MacGruber,” “24”), Eric Close (“Chaos,” “Without a Trace”) and Clare Bowen (“General Hospital”).
The series is produced by Lionsgate, ABC Studios and Gaylord Entertainment. For more information on the show, visit www.facebook.com/NashvilleABC

New Collaboration Between THP, ABC

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The state Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which issues liquor licenses in Tennessee, now has direct access to the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s computer database for accidents related to drunken driving, reports the Chattanooga TFP.
That means the commission will know sooner about any distributor who may be serving underage drinkers or visibly intoxicated ones, officials said Tuesday.
THP Director Col. Tracy Trott and ABC Executive Director Danielle Elks joined others at the Charleston Fire Department on Tuesday to announce the partnership put together by state Rep. Eric Watson, R-Cleveland.
“You’ve heard the expression ‘where there’s smoke, there’s fire.’ Well, where there’s smoke, the ABC special agents can now look for the fire,” Watson said at the news conference.
“This partnership will allow ABC special agents to more quickly gather information regarding alcohol-related traffic accidents,” he said. “This information could lead to further investigations into possible violations of state liquor laws.”
Defense attorney Jim Logan, a Democrat, said he and Watson, a Republican and veteran law enforcement officer, agreed quickly about the need to spread the responsibility beyond the driver.