Boathouse Rotisserie and Raw Bar has filed a civil suit against the city of Chattanooga’s Beer and Wrecker Board members, stating it was wrongly penalized for violations of the open container law.
The riverfront restaurant, at 1459 Riverside Drive, sits along the Tennessee Riverpark Trail and was issued a $1,500 fine, or 10-day suspension, from the city on June 7 for several violations to the city’s open container law dating back to last summer. No restaurant officials attended the meeting, which left some of the beer board members upset.
Now, Boathouse officials are alleging that they were told it was not necessary to show up to the June meeting by Hamilton County park rangers and that their lease with the city and county states the restaurant’s patrons are allowed to carry alcohol onto the portion of the Riverwalk that is on the restaurant’s property.
The complaint, filed in Hamilton County Chancery Court, states beer board members “apparently took great offense” at restaurant officials not showing up to the meeting and therefore issued the maximum fine. The city board has the power to issue, revoke and suspend beer licenses in the area.
“The Hamilton County Park Managers stated to Boathouse managers and owners the citation or notice had been resolved and there would be no reason to appear at the June 7 hearing,” the complaint states.