City board endorses private club permit on Malvern Avenue

The Hot Springs Board of Directors endorsed an application for a private club at 634 Malvern Ave. at its final regular business meeting of the year.

The board unanimously adopted an ordinance at its Dec. 15 meeting authorizing Catherine Sanders to file a private club application with Alcoholic Beverage Control, the state agency that regulates the sale of alcohol. A 2017 law requires local governments to endorse private club applications before they can be considered by the state.

Prior to Act 112 of 2017, local governments were not notified about private club applications until they were filed with the state. The new law requires cities to adopt an ordinance in support of applications before ABC will consider them.

Sanders is applying for a license to operate Kat & Kay Diamond Club in the former

location of Sharks Pool and Billiards between Family Dollar and Hot Springs Plasma Center on upper Malvern Avenue. The area is in the general business district, or C-2, zone, where bars, taverns and lounges are a permitted use.

Sanders told the board she operated Rumors Bar and Grill on Central Avenue prior to the expiration of her lease on the building.

State law requires a private club to have a purpose other than selling or consuming alcoholic beverages. According to the application Sanders provided the board, the club will host social events, live bands and concerts for its members. It will also be a venue for dart and pool tournaments, dance classes, dinners and meetings.

The city’s taxation code levies a 5% tax on private clubs’ alcohol sales and a $250 annual permit fee.