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.
The complaint said park rangers did not notify the city or beer board members of these conversations based on the outcome, and Boathouse managers were told there was no longer a hearing and were out of town on June 7.
Boathouse said a lease agreement signed by the prior owners of the Boathouse property, the city and county states patrons of the restaurant are allowed to carry beer or alcoholic beverages onto the portion of the Riverwalk that is on the Boathouse property.
In June, signs posted just outside the restaurant's door stated, "Law prohibits alcohol on Riverwalk."
The Tennessee Riverpark is managed by both Hamilton County and the city of Chattanooga. Park rangers at the June 7 meeting said there were at least five instances when they found patrons drinking on the Riverwalk, and one time they found broken beer bottles on the trail.
Boathouse is asking for a $1,500 refund and that the court determine the June 7 board meeting was improper due to inadequate communication by county park personnel.
Contact staff writer Allison Shirk at ashirk@timesfreepress.com, @Allison_Shirk or 423-757-6651.