With passage of the liquor by the drink referendum in Sweetwater last week, some existing restaurants are inquiring about how to obtain their liquor license.

At least three called City Hall immediately after the June 11 election and they were referred to the state Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC) in Nashville, the proper agency to accept applications.
ABC spokeswoman Virginia Stooksbury said as of Wednesday, only Hunter's Bakery and Cafe in downtown Sweetwater had asked for an application packet.

Stooksbury said no applications can be accepted and processed until the official certification of the June 11 election results and notification to the state.
The Monroe County Election Commission is expected to meet next week to certify the election, making it official.

Stooksbury said there is a lot of paper work required to apply for a license.
Restaurants that seat at least 75 people can apply for the full liquor by the drink license while restaurants that seat at least 40 but not 75 people can apply to serve wine.
"It's pretty extensive," Stooksbury said of all that is involved.

There is an application fee and restaurants must put up a $10,000 bond with the state Department of Revenue for the full liquor license and a $2,000 bond for the wine license.
Alcohol servers at the restaurants have to take a five-hour training course.
Stooksbury said server trainers are not employed by the state but have to be certified.
She said sometimes when cities pass liquor by the drink, the trainers will come to the city and set up a training session in town.

Jack and Maria Cox own Hunter's Bakery and Cafe.
Maria Cox confirmed the eatery had sent off for an application packet and the owners hope to get their license as soon as possible.
"I don't think it will be a fast process," she said.

Passage of the referendum does not mean package liquor stores will spring up in town.
That would require a separate referendum.
The June 11 referendum was to decide whether restaurants would be allowed to serve alcohol.
When the state receives notification of the election results, ABC officials have said Sunday beer sales can begin in the city and unincorporated areas of the county.

Sweetwater City Attorney John Cleveland plans to address issues surrounding passage of the liquor by the drink referendum when the City Commission meets at 5 p.m. on June 29 at City Hall to pass the 2009-2010 budget.

tommy.millsaps@advocateanddemocrat.com | 337-7101