A bottling operation called Lookout Distilleries may open soon in Red Bank following the City Commission’s approval May 16 of a zoning request made by Charlie Jones, owner of the property at 1117 Dayton Blvd. where the business will be located.
Jones requested the zoning of his property be changed from a C-1 commercial zone to L-1 light manufacturing, with the stated purpose of formulating a bottling company.
Regional Planning Agency staff and members of the city’s Planning Commission had recommended the commission approve Jones’ request.
“An approval of zoning has nothing to do with the approval of the business,” clarified City Attorney Arnold Stulce.
Jones said no distilling, distribution or sales would be occurring on-site.
Stulce said distillation is not encompassed in L-1, for which accepted uses could include businesses such as bakeries, machine shops or optical goods establishments.
Distilleries are not currently permitted to operate anywhere within Hamilton County.
“I have absolutely no intention of doing distillation,” said Jones. “We would basically rebottle [distilled liquor] under our brand and distribute it out.”
He said he plans to initially hire three to six employees who will bottle the distilled product by hand.
“We’re not going to be producing anything, just bottling something someone else has made,” said Jones.
He said he is considering “Speakeasy” for the product’s brand name, in homage to Hamilton County’s pre-prohibition reputation as a hot spot for distilleries, where more than 40 were said to be in existence.
Red Bank resident Melissa Pierce asked if the business could eventually change its operations to include activities beyond just bottling if the board approved Jones’ zoning request.
Stulce said L-1 zoning does not permit distilling but stated that zoning of the property could change at any time.
“We’re certainly way far away from distillation,” said Jones.
Vice Mayor John Roberts voted to accept Jones’ request under the condition it be amended to limit the use of the property to Jones’ stated purpose of establishing a bottling works.
Tennessee law prohibiting distilling in most of the state changed in 2009, when a bill passed allowing distilleries to open in any county which contains operating liquor stores and permits the sale of liquor by the drink.
If the Hamilton County Commission votes to allow distilleries to open here, Jones would need to submit another zoning request to the Red Bank City Commission before expanding his operations to include distilling.