Beer board rescinds $1,000 fines for two restaurants, tables permits and names Christie Morris vice chair

At its meeting, the Cherry Nega Beer Board voted unanimously to rescind hearing officer Rachel Hodges’s recommended $1,000 fines for two restaurant locations — Mexicalli Mexican Restaurant (doing business as Mexicalli Northshore) and Chi-Chi Charcoal Chicken (Chi-Chi’s). The board’s roll-call vote recorded “yes” from Christie, Brooke, Veronica, Jean, Reginald, Betsy and the chair.

The rescission followed a staff discussion that the recommendation raised questions related to state law and needed formal clarification before enforcement. “We need to take action whether we’re going to affirm this or whether we’re going to have a motion to rescind this because of the state law that we’ve learned about,” the chair said when opening discussion. A board member moved to rescind and dismiss the fines; the motion was seconded and approved. The chair said the board clerk will prepare an order rescinding the fines so the record is clear and asked about signature logistics.

The meeting also handled several new and carried-over permit applications. Regulatory staff introduced new beer inspector Officer Jacob Simpson and said Simpson is in training with the regulatory team. Staff noted temporary permit TE 140 (Friends of the Festival, Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon) had been approved; two event permits (including TE 138, Smart Music Project Community Block Party hosted by Robert Davis, and TE 141, River City Company Summerween — applicant Emily Mack) remained on legal hold and staff said they would follow up with legal to resolve outstanding portal notes.

An application from Nine Brothers (applicant Khaled Ali Alqadri) for a carryout beer permit at 101 West 38th Street was described as pending because zoning had not yet signed off. Alqadri, sworn to speak, said the business has operated since 2017, his prior permit expired, and he reported the business had ceased selling beer while awaiting a new permit. Staff said once zoning signs off and other requirements are met the automated registration system will approve the application.

The board voted to pass (table) an application from Baby Hughes LLC (Hugh Harris) for a summer beer permit at 8210 Asheville Pike to the July 2 meeting after staff reported a failed building inspection and pending corrections. The motion to move the item to the July 2 meeting was made, seconded and approved by voice vote with no opposition noted.

Board members also discussed internal business: departing members J.W. and Zach were noted as off the board (terms expired or moved out of district), and members agreed to conduct full officer elections after membership is restored. In the interim the board nominated and approved Christie Morris as vice chair by voice vote.

The meeting closed with no public commenters and a motion to adjourn, which passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes (June 4, 2026): approved by voice vote (no opposition noted).
- Rescind fines for Mexicalli Northshore and Chi-Chi’s: motion passed by roll-call vote; recorded yes votes — Christie; Brooke; Veronica; Jean; Reginald; Betsy; Chair.
- Table Baby Hughes LLC summer permit (8210 Asheville Pike) to July 2: approved by voice vote; no opposition recorded.
- Appoint Christie Morris as interim vice chair: approved by voice vote.

What’s next
The regulatory staff will follow up with legal and zoning on the permits that were placed on hold. The rescission order for the fines will be prepared and executed to clear the records. Several permit items will be revisited at the July 2 meeting.