Tapalaluna was recently awarded a Class ACBD liquor license by the liquor commissioner.

DeKalb City Attorney Norma Guess said this license allows the establishment to serve beer, wine and liquor. Guess said this license differs from other licenses because it requires the establishment to have a development agreement with the liquor commission.

“[The development agreement] controls what they can do inside the property, and if they’re planning on making changes, they have to come back to council to change the agreement,” Guess said.

Guess said the specific ACBD license held by Tapalaluna, 226 E. Lincoln Highway, does not have a limited number in the community, but the Class A, B, H, I, J and K licenses all have a limit on how many can be issued. Guess said the ACBD licenses are issued at the discretion of the liquor commission.

One specific element of the license is the location of the business, said Kris Polvsen, liquor commissioner and DeKalb acting mayor.

“They have a central business district license,” Polvsen said.

Polvsen said other licenses can be held in any part of town.

Such was the case with the Detox Nightclub, 1000 W. Lincoln Highway, which surrendered its license to the Liquor Commission from Nov. 18 to 19 because of an illegal transfer of ownership.

“We did not revoke their license,” said DeKalb City Clerk Donna Johnson . “They were found guilty of transferring ownership, but they willingly surrendered their Class A liquor license.”

As far as a future license for the business or location, Polvsen said anyone interested in getting a license should apply and the council will review every applicant. Based on their plans, Polvsen said the council will then decide who will be best for the community.

“This could be someone who wants to occupy that building or it could certainly be someone who has a business plan and wants to occupy a building somewhere in the community,” Polvsen said. “Liquor licenses are not issued to the building and are not property of the building or location.”

Johnson said soon the county wishes to reduce the number of Class A licenses in the community. This matter will be discussed at the DeKalb City Council meeting Monday.