California ABC Type 41 Beer and Wine License Case Study

Challenge

Having a beer and wine license is a vital element to many California restaurants. From the fine dining to the family style establishments, these businesses require a liquor license, whether it is a full liquor license or a beer and wine license, in order to be able to provide their customers with the service they demand. Eatalian Café and ExEat by Eatalian were no exceptions.

Eatalian Café and ExEat by Eatalian Café is a family owned and operated public eating establishment serving authentic “Italian” styled cuisine without having to visit Italy. The food and beverages are integral to the environment of these restaurants.

Permit Place was contacted to obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow beer and wine sales for on-site consumption and California ABC Type 41 On-Sale Beer and Wine license for both the Eatalian Café and ExEat by Eatalian Café locations.

Solution

The process of obtaining a beer and wine license can seem difficult and overwhelming to someone who is not familiar with the proper steps.  On the restaurant owner’s behalf, Permit Place handled the California ABC Type 41 On-Sale Beer and Wine license for both the Eatalian Café and ExEat by Eatalian Café locations through the Long Beach / Lakewood District Office while the owner focused on his restaurant business.  Permit Place began by advising the owner of the type of licenses that will be necessary for each of his restaurants.  We prepared, reviewed, and completed the application paperwork for the beer and wine license including the Public Convenience & Necessity and Non-Interference letters and filed the state applications with the California ABC Long Beach / Lakewood District Office.  Permit Place was responsible for the legal noticing to surrounding neighbors and the notification posting of the restaurant site.  With our knowledge of the licensing process and excellent relationships with the various California ABC district office personnel, Permit Place is in the process of completing a smooth and successful Type 41 license issuance.

In addition to the California ABC beer and wine license, a Conditional Use Permit is required from the local jurisdiction for both the on-sale and off-sale consumption of beer and wine.  The CUP allows a jurisdiction to consider special uses which may be essential or desirable to a particular community, but which are not allowed as a matter of right within a zoning district, through a public hearing process. It enables a jurisdiction to control certain uses which could have detrimental effects such as on-site sale consumption of beer and wine on the community.  On the restaurant owner’s behalf, Permit Place with its jurisdictional entitlement experience processed the CUP for both the Eatalian Café and ExEat by Eatalian Café locations.  Permit Place began by handling the application by meeting with the local jurisdiction to ensure that they are familiar with the project.  We prepared the CUP application packet and represented the owner at the public hearings.  With our excellent relationship with local jurisdictions, we worked closely with planning staff in obtaining CUP approval with acceptable conditions by negotiating with planning staff and the planning board.

Results

After months of meeting with city planners, neighborhood councils and the planning commission, Permit Place takes pride in knowing we were successful in assisting the Eatalian Café and ExEat by Eatalian Café with their licensing needs. On March 16th,  2012, Permit Place was successful in obtaining City CUP approvals for both locations. With City approvals in hand, the last step is to work through the final State ABC conditions in order to process and obtain California ABC Type 41 On-Sale Beer and Wine licenses for both the Eatalian Café and ExEat by Eatalian Café locations through the Long Beach / Lakewood District Office.

If you need a liquor license for your business get in touch with Permit Place to learn how we can help you!