Gather Eatery & Bar (Billy’s On Grand) — License Application
Current Application
A new application was filed under revised city procedures in March 2023. This application is for a new bar and restaurant (Gather Eatery & Bar) operated by Wes Spearman and the DWD group. ZLU will held a public hearing on this application May 16th at 7:00 via Zoom.
Status as of 5/26/23: At a special board meeting on May 23rd, the boarded voted against supporting the licenses as submitted but did vote to support a license that included a midnight closure and several other conditions. Please see the full letter below which will also be submitted to the City Licensing Hearing Officer.
Previous Actions
Billy’s has been operating under a management agreement from the current licensee since opening in May 2021. The new ownership has applied for their own license, however their license application has been paused pending resolution of multiple adverse actions by the Department of Safety and Inspections. In the meantime, they are able to continue operating under the existing license via their management agreement.
The current adverse action (#2) was appealed to an Administrative Law Judge. It was heard on August 15 and 16, 2022, and written findings were released on 12/21/22. The judge found that DSI had not established that patrons had left the premises with alcoholic beverages, but upheld the other three violations – failure to provide video footage, failure to maintain adequate video surveillance, and failing to maintain a licensed premises to provide a safe environment for patrons and the public.
There are other pending adverse actions that will be heard in sequence. There is a matrix of penalties, up to and including license revocation, which the City may choose to pursue.
Previous Applications
In our April 26th, 2022 letter, we supported 5 of the 6 license applications, but did not support a proposed 2am license. We also suggested the patio be used after hours to accommodate smokers. That application is still pending, awaiting resolution of the administrative actions mentioned above.
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