The Knox County Beer Board on Monday approved a new on- and off-premises beer permit for Daniel’s Bar and Grill and voted to impose fines or suspensions on five businesses after alcohol compliance checks found sales to underage buyers.

The board’s action affects businesses across county districts and included one permit approval, three civil penalties for second-offense violations, one civil penalty for a third-offense violation and a 30-day suspension for a hotel that declined the civil penalty option.

Board members said the matters reflect ongoing enforcement to prevent sales to minors and encouraged businesses to use available training and resources. “We do not want to see you back here again,” the chair said repeatedly during the meeting. The board also invited businesses to attend an optional Metro Drug Coalition training planned for Nov. 17.

Daniel’s Bar and Grill, 8725 Chapman Highway (District 9), applied for an on- and off-premises beer permit. Applicants Jason Bridal and Elizabeth Moncier confirmed they are Tennessee residents and that the application information is current and accurate. Applicant representatives said they plan to purchase the business and will turn in the old beer permit to the clerk’s office. No objections were recorded from the health department, the sheriff’s department or the fire marshal, and codes reported the business in good standing. The board approved the permit on a motion by Commissioner Larson Jay, seconded by Commissioner Oster; the roll call vote recorded all commissioners present voting to approve the application.

Mohan Inc., 8001 Millertown Pike (District 8), was charged with a third offense following a Sept. 15, 2025, undercover compliance check in which detectives said the defendant sold alcohol to an underage buyer without checking identification. Owner Aksha Patel acknowledged the sale and said an employee mistakenly scanned the product as a soft drink, apologized and provided a written apology. Board members noted the store’s prior offenses (July 17, 2023, and June 22, 2024) and pressed Patel on what steps the business had taken; Patel said he has been working with staff daily and required server training. As a third offense, the board offered a choice of a $2,000 civil penalty or a 90-day suspension; Patel elected to pay the $2,000 fine. Commissioner Thompson moved to impose the fine; Commissioner Jay seconded, and the motion passed.

WIGO’s (Weigel’s), 5904 Washington Pike (District 8), was found in a Sept. 15, 2025, compliance check to have sold alcohol to an underage buyer after asking for identification; the business’s representative said the clerk entered the wrong birth date and the employee was terminated. The board treated the incident as a second offense and voted to impose a $1,500 civil penalty (or a 60-day suspension option). Commissioner Thompson moved for the $1,500 fine, a second was recorded, and the motion passed.

Easy Stop, 7323 Clinton Highway (District 6), was found in a Oct. 7, 2025, compliance check to have sold alcohol to a minor after staff checked identification but keyed the wrong birthday. Company representatives described hiring and periodic retraining (on hire, monthly sign-offs on restricted-products policy and bi-monthly third-party audits). The incident was treated as a first offense; the business elected to pay a $1,000 civil penalty rather than accept a 30-day suspension. Commissioner Hill moved to accept the fine; the board approved the motion.

Pilot, 2197 Stroud Plains Pike (District 8), was cited after a compliance check in which an employee checked ID, scanned the entry and then overrode the system to complete the sale; the defendant did not have a server card present, the report said. The company’s attorney, Marshall Stair, and representative Robert Orler said the employee was terminated and the company is retraining staff across its county locations. The board treated this as a second offense and voted to impose a $1,500 civil penalty rather than a 60-day suspension.

Residence Inn, 215 Langley Place (District 3), was cited after an Oct. 25 compliance check in which detectives reported the sale of a 12-ounce can of beer to an underage buyer. Bradley Granger, representing Residence Inn, said the associate was retrained through ServSafe and is barred from selling alcohol until retraining is completed; the property said it does not have a scanning system. The hotel’s permit dates to 2009; the business declined the $1,000 civil penalty for a first offense and instead accepted a 30-day suspension. Commissioner Oster moved for the suspension; the board approved it.

Votes at a glance:
- Daniel’s Bar and Grill (8725 Chapman Hwy, District 9): Application for on- and off-premises beer permit approved. Motion by Commissioner Larson Jay; second by Commissioner Oster; unanimous approval recorded.
- Mohan Inc. (Allstown Market, 8001 Millertown Pike, District 8): Third-offense sale to a minor (9/15/2025). Owner elected to pay a $2,000 civil penalty. Motion to impose fine by Commissioner Thompson; second by Commissioner Jay; motion passed.
- WIGO’s/Weigel’s (5904 Washington Pike, District 8): Second-offense sale to a minor (9/15/2025). Board imposed $1,500 civil penalty. Motion by Commissioner Thompson; second by Commissioner Jay; motion passed.
- Easy Stop (7323 Clinton Highway, District 6): First-offense sale to a minor (10/7/2025). Business elected to pay $1,000 civil penalty. Motion by Commissioner Hill; second by Commissioner Thompson; motion passed.
- Pilot (2197 Stroud Plains Pike, District 8): Second-offense sale to a minor (date in transcript). Board imposed $1,500 civil penalty. Motion by Commissioner Thompson; second by Commissioner Hill; motion passed.
- Residence Inn (215 Langley Place, District 3): First-offense sale to a minor (10/25/2025). Business elected a 30-day suspension in lieu of a $1,000 fine. Motion by Commissioner Oster; second by Commissioner Jay; motion passed.

The board encouraged businesses to use the Metro Drug Coalition’s training resources; staff announced an optional Metro Drug Coalition presentation set for Nov. 17 from 2–3 p.m. in the Commission Conference Room.

The board adjourned after the items were concluded.