The Rome Alcohol Control Commission addressed a wide range of alcohol licensing and enforcement issues during its 5 p.m. meeting at City Hall, approving a new pouring license for a planned North Broad Street restaurant, recommending $2,000 fines for two convenience stores tied to indoor smoking violations, taking no action in other license hearings, and deferring a new license application for further review. The commission also scheduled its January meeting date after a holiday conflict.

Chairman Billy Cooper presided over the meeting in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall, 601 Broad St. Commissioners Steve VanMeter, Taylor McMichael, Doug Phipps, Courtney Shepard and Commissioner Robinson were present, along with Assistant City Attorney Sam Lucas and Rome Police Major Rusty Blair. The commission unanimously approved the minutes from its Nov. 17, 2025, meeting.

The ACC unanimously approved an application from Juan Aguirre, owner of Los Trios Mexican Grill, for a new beer, wine and liquor pouring license at 1004 N. Broad St., the former home of Rusan’s. Aguirre’s manager, Marlene Ortiz, said the owner also operates Las Mesas restaurants on Redmond Circle and at Mount Berry Square Mall, though the Redmond Circle location is closing. Los Trios plans to open in February 2026, operate seven days a week, employ about 10 workers and ensure all staff complete ServeSafe training and obtain alcohol service permits. The approval is contingent on final inspections by the city’s Building Inspector and Fire Marshal.

The commission then held a license hearing for Miles Legacy, also known as Marathon Fuel, at 1901 N. Broad St., following a police citation issued to an employee for allowing smoking inside the store. No representative from the business attended the hearing. Rome Police Officer Zachary Colvin testified about a Nov. 10, 2025, incident in which he observed customers smoking indoors, found an ashtray with cigarette butts and noted a strong odor of smoke. The ACC unanimously determined a violation occurred and, by a 3–1 vote, recommended a $2,000 fine to the City Commission, which will consider the matter on Jan. 12, 2026.

A separate license hearing was held for Chevron Express, 507 Turner McCall Blvd., concerning two incidents in November involving vaping and a customer opening and drinking a beer inside the store. Although licensee Dhaval Parmar was out of the country, a store representative and legal counsel attended. Police testimony and store video showed the incidents were concealed and promptly addressed by staff. The ACC unanimously voted to take no action in either case.

The ACC also heard a case involving Shop N Save, 1303 Shorter Ave., after a clerk was cited for allowing smoking inside the store on Nov. 5, 2025. Licensee Hilary Brahmhatt denied the violation, but police testimony described visible smoking, cigarette ash near gaming machines and a strong odor of smoke throughout the store. The commission unanimously found a violation occurred and recommended a $2,000 fine to the City Commission, also to be considered on Jan. 12, 2026.

In a related matter, the commission reviewed a new beer and wine package license application from Mohammed Fuzil Shaud Rafi for Shop N Save. Commissioners questioned Rafi about store operations and the status of COAM gaming machines, particularly in light of previous state charges tied to the location. Due to conflicting statements, the ACC unanimously voted to take no action and requested Rafi return at the next meeting for further clarification.

Major Rusty Blair also reported additional smoking citations issued at Miles Legacy on Nov. 16 and Nov. 24, 2025. The licensee will be notified to appear at another license hearing scheduled for Jan. 13, 2026.

Because the commission’s regular January meeting falls on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the ACC voted to hold its next meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.