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Drink Up!

The Athens-Clarke Commission has renewed a beer and wine license for Heirloom Cafe in Boulevard and issued a new one for Marker 7 Coastal Grill in Five Points.

No one spoke out Tuesday night against Heirloom Cafe’s request, in contrast to past hearings, when a handful of neighbors said drinking diners would be too loud late at night. Dan Lorentz, president of the Boulevard neighborhood association, said he surveyed residents and heard only positive feedback. “We want them to succeed because we value a good family restaurant we can walk to in our neighborhood,” Lorentz said.

Jimmy Wilfong, who owns the former gas station Heirloom Cafe owners Jessica Rothacker and Travis Burch renovated into the farm-to-table restaurant, and Susan Staton Birch, who owns a rental house next door, said they have not gotten any noise complaints related to Heirloom Cafe.

The commission extended the hours when Heirloom Cafe can sell booze from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. and allowed them to open up their garage door, which they have had to keep shut to cut down on noise. Burch told commissioners he needs the later hours to “create a financially sustainable business” because people often dine late in the summer and after football games.

No one spoke against Marker 7 Coastal Grill’s request, either. Owner Chris Lloyd, who also owns Hilltop Grille, said he plans to be open from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. except on Saturdays when the University of Georgia football team plays at night, when he’ll keep serving until 2 a.m. He agreed not to have any live or amplified music on the restaurant’s deck.

The county Finance Department generally issues alcohol licenses to any business that applies for one, but restaurants need commission approval to sell drinks near churches, schools and single-family homes.

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