A variety of businesses — including a new hot spring resort near Zion National Park, a vineyard and several restaurants — received liquor licenses Thursday during the latest Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS) meeting.
In all, the DABS’ liquor commission awarded licenses to serve beer and wine to three restaurants and a food truck; separate bar licenses to two bars, the resort and a vineyard; and full liquor licenses to three restaurants.
Thursday’s meeting was also the last for departing DABS executive director Tiffany Clason, who accepted a position with Swire Coca-Cola, USA, which is headquartered in Draper. Clason’s last day with the DABS will be Friday.
Michele McKillip, the company’s senior vice president of corporate affairs and communications, said Clason will serve as senior director of public relations and government affairs.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Tiffany Clason, executive director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, announces the opening of a new state liquor store in West Valley City at 5432 West High Market Drive, Suite F, on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, offering wine, liquor and refrigerated beer.
Clason said earlier in June that the new job will “be great for me professionally. I will get to see my kiddos and my family maybe a little bit more, which, of course, is not a bad thing.”
She added, however, that the change was “bittersweet.”
“I’m excited about my next chapter in my career,” Clason said. “I’m really excited about this new opportunity in front of me, but I love this job, and every day since 2021, when I was appointed and confirmed, I have given this job 110%.”
At Thursday’s meeting, Clason thanked Gov. Spencer Cox and Lieutenant Gov. Deidre Henderson for nominating her to lead DABS. She also thanked the Utah legislators who have been involved in drafting liquor policy, DABS employees and the members of the liquor commission.
“This is the best commission I believe the state of Utah has ever had, and I feel like that’s really saying something, because the commission has existed pretty much since the end of Prohibition,” Clason said.
After Clason’s remarks, commission chairman Stephen Handy told her “you’ve been a consummate professional in my dealings with you.”
Commissioner Tom Jacobson said, “This place has been run the last few years in an impeccable manner, and it’s all thanks to our director,” who has been open to listening to ideas from commission members.
Thursday’s meeting was also Jacobson’s last with the liquor commission, as he’s departing for a post with the state transportation commission.
The Utah Senate confirmed Clason in her role as executive director of the DABS in February 2021.
“Tiffany’s five years leading the DABS is marked with unprecedented advancements where she oversaw improvements to the department’s technology infrastructure, bridge-building with industry and community partners, and a robust culture shift towards better service,” said DABS spokesperson Michelle Schmitt in a statement.
The most visible change during Clason’s tenure was the agency’s name — from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services, an outward sign of Clason’s emphasis on service.
She also pushed to have refrigeration units inside new liquor stores after receiving feedback from customers, Schmitt said. The Taylorsville liquor store on 2700 West, the first to open while Clason was executive director, was the first in Utah to have refrigerated products.
In 2022, Clason prompted Cox and lawmakers to provide funding for DABS’ online licensing and permitting system, which allows restaurant and bar owners to fill out forms and submit payments for their liquor licenses online.
Clason said one of her proudest moments as executive director was securing better pay for liquor store employees, which in turn reduced employee turnover.
What she will miss most about the job, she said, are the relationships she has made, “and the people that I’ve been able to know and get to know through my time here.”
Liquor licenses
Two bars received licenses Thursday, including Perhaps, at 511 Main St. in Park City, and the Boiler Room, at 32 Exchange Place in Salt Lake City. The Boiler Room will be replacing the bar Twist.
Zion Canyon Hot Springs, at 202 W. 300 South in La Verkin, and Spanish Valley Vineyards & Winery, at 4710 Zimmerman Lane in Moab, also received liquor licenses.
Four businesses received licenses as new limited-service applicants:
• Le Boeuf, 248 W. 900 South, Salt Lake City.
• Heaya Ramen & Rice Bowl, 3410 S. State St, South Salt Lake.
• Strada by Matteo, 30 E. 300 South, Salt Lake City.
• Little Bone, 20 N. Highway 12, Boulder (Hell’s Backbone Grill’s food truck).
Restaurants that received full-service liquor licenses include:
• Braza Grill, 5927 S. State St., Murray.
• Galbi Grill, 1720 E. Red Cliffs Drive, St. George.
• Positano Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, 2705 S. River Road, St. George (projected
opening June 30).
After Thursday’s meeting, there are currently nine full-year bar licenses and 43 full-service restaurant licenses available.
Because of population increases in Utah, an additional 20 bar licenses and 38 full-service restaurant licenses will become available starting July 1.