City denies club license for Club Rio Grande

Dothan City Commissioners voted 4-3 Tuesday to deny a club liquor license to Club Rio Grande, 164 S. Foster St.

The owner of a neighboring business, Michael Prichard of Featured Players, presented a petition in opposition, saying owner Monica Johnson Warren and partner Charles Burch, are just “moving the party down the street.“

Burch owns this building and was the owner of Grand Central Station, which closed a few months ago, bringing a sigh a relief to many proponents of downtown revitalization. However, the city has established an overlay district,which designates South Foster as an entertainment district.

As commissioners discussed the issue, Amos Newsome said Warren should be given a chance.

That notion was rejected. Those voting against the license were Paul Lee, John Craig, Taylor Barbaree and Keith Seagle.

After the vote, Mayor Pat Thomas said, “Your relief will be in circuit court.“