Lexington biergarten next to church denied alcohol license. Here’s why and what’s next
Navy Yard on Main was denied an alcohol license on May 6 by the South Carolina Department of Revenue because of a protest from a neighboring church and the business’ proximity to the church.
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church protested the alcoholic beverage license application of Navy Yard on Main Biergarten and Restaurant because the church said the business is within 300 feet of the church and the location is not suitable for alcohol licenses, according to documents obtained from the state Department of Revenue. The documents don’t say why the church believes the location is unsuitable.
The business and the church disagree about the distance from the church to Navy Yard on Main, a spot on Main Street in Lexington that was scheduled to open in spring 2020.
State regulations say a business must be at least 300 feet from a church, school or playground located in city limits to obtain a business liquor by the drink license.
A SLED investigation uploaded on March 23 said that the church was 310 feet away from Navy Yard on Main. SLED routinely investigates businesses before the revenue department gives alcohol licenses.
An amended SLED investigation report uploaded on April 7 said that the distance from the rear door of the restaurant to the church is 208 feet. The report says the initial measurements were made from the front doors of the establishment before the rear doors were installed.
The rear building doors are a kitchen door and an emergency exit, according to Gavin Smith, one of the owners of Navy Yard on Main. State regulations say the measurement is to be taken from the “nearest entrance of the place of business.”
St. Stephen’s protested the application in early March, according to emails obtained from the Department of Revenue.
However, the department lists additional reasons the restaurant’s alcohol license was also denied. The applicant, Vision Ventures Investment Group, did not include all of the necessary information for the application when it was submitted in late February. Vision Ventures owns the restaurant.
Information missing from the application included the restaurant’s sales retail license number, a Grade A Retail Establishment Food Permit from DHEC and an insurance document.
Smith said this information was left out because the restaurant was still under construction, but the department still could’ve allowed for conditional approval of the alcohol license if not for the church’s protest. Conditional approval usually grants applicants 90 days to submit all of the necessary paperwork.
The department denied the application and notified the business on May 6. Navy Yard on Main has a chance to appeal the decision by Aug. 4 and has already submitted its protest filings, according to Smith.
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church leadership would not respond to requests for comment by The State, but issued a statement regarding the issue on Facebook on May 7.
“St. Stephen’s has been a dedicated and faithful member of downtown Lexington since 1830. We have been and continue to be a supportive partner in the growth of this community. While the issue at hand is complex and has potential long-term ramifications for St. Stephen’s and our beloved Town of Lexington, we continue to navigate this process hoping for a positive outcome, and we are committed to doing what’s best for our community overall,” the church’s Facebook post said.
“Despite our team’s countless efforts to resolve this matter with St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church and its leadership team, we must now wait on the justice system to make a determination on this protest and our application for a beer, wine and liquor licenses. Ultimately, the court’s decision will determine if and when Navy Yard on Main is able to open,” said John Alphin, legal counsel for Navy Yard on Main in a May 7 news release.
The restaurant, at the corner of West Main Street and North Church Street, has nearly 11,000 square feet of outdoor dining space and around 8,000 square feet of indoor dining in the former Carpet One building that was originally built as a furniture store in 1918.
It was also planning to offer the Town of Lexington’s largest selection of craft beer, according to the restaurant’s Facebook page, as well as a full menu of American cuisine.
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church has had three different buildings around Main Street since it opened 191 years ago in Lexington, according to its website. The current structure was built in 1957.
“Mr. Smith remains hopeful that this issue can still be resolved between parties,” Alphin told The State Wednesday morning.
This story was originally published May 19, 2021 at 9:11 AM.
