Committee backs on‑sale beer and wine license transfer for Ailes Unlimited at 2398 Webster

Chair Supervisor Catherine Stephanie asked the clerk to call agenda item 2, a premise‑to‑premise transfer of a Type 42 on‑sale beer and wine public premises license to Ailes Unlimited LLC at 2398 Webster. Officer Salmasen of the SFPD’s ABC liaison unit told the committee the application had "0 letters of protest, 0 letters of support," was located in Plot 525 (reported as low crime) and in Census Tract 135 (reported as high saturation), and that Northern Station had no opposition and the alcohol liaison unit recommended approval.

Applicant Steve Smith described his business history and COVID‑era hardship, saying the business was evicted during the pandemic, completed a seven‑month seismic retrofit and lost a walk‑in cooler. Smith said the transferred license would allow them to offer tastings at certain hours to generate sales and support reopening. "We had a small little bar downtown ... we finally getting back to reopen," Smith said.

There was no in‑person or remote public comment on the item. Supervisor Stephanie moved that the clerk prepare a resolution finding the transfer would serve the public convenience or necessity and forward it to the full Board; the committee voted unanimously in favor. The item will appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda on July 25, 2023.