'Zeal' to Appeal Alcohol License Denial

The management of a forthcoming restaurant in the Merchants Walk area will ask for formal reversal of an initial denial of an alcohol license when the Cobb Board of Commissioners meets Tuesday. 

The meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the second floor boardroom of the BOC building, 100 Cherokee Street in Marietta. 

On June 20, the Cobb License Review Board unanimously recommended that the commissioners reverse the Cobb Business License Division's denial of a pouring license for a restaurant called Zeal, located in the Market Plaza Shopping Center (see pp. 51-59 of the attached agenda).

Zeal, which is described as having a "farm to table" and "crafthouse" concept, would move into the space formerly occupied by the Empress of China II, which closed last year. 

Orlando-based SK Restaurant Group, LLC, is the owner of Zeal.

Zeal's initial request for a license was denied in May because of the retail center's proximity to nearby residences. 

According to a summary of the License Review Board meeting, Zeal is less than 300 feet from a residence, the minimum distance required for businesses selling alcohol in unincorporated Cobb County.

Other restaurants at Market Plaza -- Fuji Hana, Aurelio's Pizza, and Red Sky Tapas & Bar -- all have liquor licenses. Zeal is seeking a waiver to the distance requirement that must be approved by the commissioners.

The License Review Board was told by Michael Braver, Zeal's manager, that his business partner met with the residential homeowner, whom he said is not opposed to the granting of a liquor license. Braver also said he knows of no other opposition to the request. 

Braver said Zeal would be open from 11:30 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday, and from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. He estimated at 65 percent of the restaurant's sales would come from food, and 35 percent from alcohol.

Zeal has been posting help wanted listings on various job websites in the last few weeks, but an estimated opening date has not been announced.