Restaurant was also not in compliance with Alaska Statutes through September 2024 regarding alcohol sales.
Under Alaska Statute, the holder of a restaurant or eating place license shall ensure that gross receipts from the sale of food for consumption on the licensed premises are not less than the total of the gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises in each calendar year. Uncommon Pizza had 53% in gross sales of alcohol according to filings for calendar year 2023 and through September 2024, and are therefore not in compliance with Alaska Statues.
A letter dated November 13, 2024 to the City of Bethel governing body from then Acting City Manager Lori Strickler regarding Uncommon Pizza’s restaurant eating place alcohol license states that the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office indicated that the license renewal will be under special consideration by the board at their November 19th, 2024 meeting.
“At the time the holder submits an application for renewal of the license, the holder shall submit a statement to the board certifying that the holder has met the requirement under this subsection for the designated period of the license under AS 04.11.680,” the letter states. “The board may renew a restaurant or eating place license only if the licensee’s statement provides evidence satisfactory to the board that, during the designated period of the license under AS 04.11.680, the gross receipts from the sale of food for consumption on the licensed premises were not less than the total of the gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises.”
Administration did find that Uncommon Pizza was in compliance with planning requirements, business licensing, sales tax, or other fees or charges, and has not an excessive number of police for fire related calls to the location.
“The Administration has not found cause to protest the issuance of the renewal under BMC 5.08.020 , but the licensee has not complied with AS 04.09.210 (e), which does present a basis for the local governing body to consider a protest under AS 04.11.480,” wrote Strickler.
A similar situation occurred with the other restaurant that has alcohol sales in Bethel (Fili’s Pizza) in 2022 where their alcohol sales (50.34%) were more than food sales (49.66%). City council at the time voted not to protest the license, 5-1, due to pressure that how they vote at the time would make or break Fili’s Pizza, plus the potential loss of tax revenues, and desiring to have strong relationships with the City’s businesses.
At that time, the sole dissenting vote was cast by council member Rose Sugar Henderson.
“The rule was there for a reason, it was broken. And that’s what we need to go by,” Henderson said during their April 23rd, 2024 regular council meeting. “I don’t think it would look well if we say, ‘It’s okay. You can break the rules and then Uncommon’s going to come with broken rules, and they’re going to say, ‘You said it was okay for them. And why can’t it be okay for us?’”
The City of Bethel has until December 30, 2024 to protest the Uncommon Pizza liquor license renewal.
