Last year the city backed legislation in the Indiana General Assembly that would have increased the number of liquor permits in Hamilton County by 10. In wealthy and fast growing Hamilton County, however, competition for the licenses is fierce.įishers Mayor Scott Fadness has contended that a scarcity of three-way liquor permits is discouraging restaurants from opening there. But some of the three-way permits in less populated counties had just one bidder and were sold at their base value of $1,000.

A three-way permit for a package liquor store in Zionsville fetched the most: $210,000. In all, 45 permits of all types were sold in several counties for $1.48 million. But they are in less demand and fetch much lower prices. Population also determines how many one-way permits (beer) and two-way permits (beer and wine) cites get. Fishers is now entitled to 58 three-way permits. Liquor permits are distributed according to a city’s size, and the Hamilton County cities held special censuses that showed population growth. It was called partly because Fishers, Carmel, Westfield and other cities have been allocated more licenses based on population increases, said Alcohol & Tobacco Commission counsel Jessica Allen.

The special auction was distinct from the regular once-a-year auctions for state liquor permits. “It is a culinary-themed project that will have multiple restaurants.' “This is one of the steps in the process is making sure we had liquor licenses for the tenants that we’re negotiating with,” Boyd said. Boyd was outbid for a sixth license, for which a competitor paid $130,000.įisher's dining scene: Why Hamilton County suburb is the land of chains and fast-food restaurants Managing partner Ashlee Boyd won bids for the “three-way” liquor permits, which allow the sale of beer, wine and hard liquor. The auction was held Wednesday by the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission in a windowless conference room at the Indiana Government Center South. Thompson Thrift paid $359,000 for five liquor licenses to be used at the Yard, a restaurant and entertainment complex to be built at the 116th Street exit off I-69. If there was any doubt Fishers and the developer of a planned culinary center were serious about getting the project started, it was put to rest last week at a low-key but high-stakes auction in Downtown Indianapolis. Watch Video: Auctioning an alcohol permit

Indiana 3 way liquor license