Council approves ABC license for Main Street event venue after split vote

The Columbiana City Council voted to adopt Resolution O1‑26‑01 to grant an ABC (alcohol) license to 4 Copper Pennies, an event venue on Main Street, following a detailed presentation and council questions.

Michelle Faulkner, who identified herself as the owner of 4 Copper Pennies, told the council the business is intended primarily as a private-event space for bridal events, reunions, private chef dinners and ticketed pop‑ups. "We are not a bar or a lounge," Faulkner said, adding the venue would be used mostly for private bookings and would not offer regular walk‑in drink service. She said the venue has a commercial kitchen, has complied with health‑department requirements to date, and is pursuing responsible‑vendor and ID‑verification measures to ensure safe alcohol service.

Faulkner also said the business aligns with Columbiana’s entertainment‑district classification and that prior liquor licenses had been approved by the city in recent years. Council questions focused on the planned mix of private versus public events (Faulkner said about 95 percent private), whether outside catering and outside drinks would be allowed (outside drink service would not be allowed; outside caterers may use the commercial kitchen with client approval), and the anticipated opening timeframe (Faulkner said she hopes to open in March, pending inspections).

Speaker 6 moved to set Resolution O1‑26‑01 (ABC license for 4 Copper Pennies) and the motion was seconded. During the roll‑call recorded in the meeting transcript, 'Council member Lilly' voted no and another council member stated they would vote no on an alcohol license on Main Street. Ruston, King, Phillips and Mayor Davis recorded 'yes' votes in the transcript. Following the vote, staff said they would deliver the resolution to the ABC office and advise the applicant on next steps to complete the application process.