July’s Utah DABS meeting approves 23 bar and restaurant licenses

Another short liquor meeting this month, mostly notable for the first with newly minted chair Stephen Handy at the wheel. Handy took over this month from former chair Tara Thue, and kept the meeting whizzing along. See the end of this article for the full DABS presser on Handy and his background.

Also, before you dive into the list of license winners, a reminder to check out this month’s UTAH DABS price report compiled by the Drink In Utah website. They noyte that this month sees :good sales on local products from Beehive, Dented Brick, Ogden’s Own, High West, and more!” Onto those licenses then:

Bar licenses

Ten licenses were available going into the July meeting, six were doled out as follows:

• PH Club Inc., Weber County, July
• Earth & Stones, Salt Lake City, July
• Arempas Venezuelan Cuisine, Midvale, July
• Los Cucos Mexican Cafe, Sandy, August
• My Arts Place, Magna, September
• Wasatch Peaks Ranch, Morgan, December

Also in bar news, Sugar House’s Campfire Lounge (pictured above) was approved to remain closed until November. Known to many under their operating name of ACME Bar Company (we first covered them in 2022) the cocktail lounge was initially closed in April for renovations; sadly the bar encountered additional complications and sought approval to remain shuttered into the Winter. When they do return, the business will be reborn under a new tiki-slinging concept.

Full-service restaurant licenses (beer, wine, liquor)

53 licenses were available in July – the following eight businesses secured a new license:

• Social District Bistro, St. George
• The Winery Cafe, Hilldale
• Mi Hacienda, Vernal
• Holiday Inn La Verkin, La Verkin
• Loma Park City, Park City, August
• Cupla Coffee, Cottonwood Heights, September
• Henry Baker, Salt Lake City, September
• North Italia, Riverton, November

Limited-service restaurant license (beer, wine)

Seven restaurants also walked away with this license type:

• Blossom 1314, Saratoga Springs
• Little India, Highland
• Eggsburgh, Salt Lake City
• Red Dirt Diner, Hatch
• Sushi Bomb, Draper
• Goat Head, Salt Lake City
• O-Ku Sushi & Ramen, Roy

Other

Beer-only restaurant licenses went to Tacos Mi Mexican Restaurant (Layton), and El Chilito (Tremonton) while a winery manufacturing license was given to Purple Sky Winery (Pleasant View).

Stephen Handy takes the mantle as Utah DABS chair

Here’s the full press release on Handy taking over:

. . .

Governor Spencer Cox appoints former Utah State Representative Stephen Handy as chair of the Utah Alcoholic Beverage Services (ABS) Commission. Handy, who began serving on the board last year, will hold his first ABS Commission meeting as chair this month.

“Commissioner Handy demonstrates his ongoing commitment to public service through his work on the Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission. With Steve as chair, the commission will continue supporting Utah’s hospitality businesses that are important to the state and local economies while overseeing alcohol policies for the health and safety of all Utahns,” said Governor Spencer Cox.

Stephen Handy began serving on the Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission last year, in August 2023 and has acted in the role of commission vice-chair since February 2024.

“In my time serving on the Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission, I’ve seen the care and commitment that my fellow commissioners have to this work. We support Utah’s economy by helping businesses and events to open and continue operating as required under the law. We also promote health and safety by working with alcohol safety and prevention efforts. I’m excited to continue my work with the commission and look forward to serving as chair,” said Handy.

Steve Handy has been in Utah public service for many years. He served two terms on the Layton City Council and 12 years (2010-2022) in the Utah House of Representatives. Handy also served on many community boards, including current positions as a trustee of Intermountain Health’s McKay-Dee and Layton Intermountain hospitals, a trustee of the Ogden Pioneer Days Foundation and a board member of the Friends of Antelope Island.

Handy owns a public relations and marketing communications consulting business. He lives in Layton with his wife Holly with whom he has six children and 17 grandchildren.

Handy replaces Commissioner Tara Thue as chair who just completed her one-year term and will continue serving as a member of the commission. Commissioner Steve Handy’s full biography and image are attached.

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Stuart Melling

Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you!  I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC.  I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City  dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.

I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV.   Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune.    I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand.   What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.

Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.