DECATUR — Restaurant patrons in Decatur can now have a drink with their dinner without traveling out of town.

The Arkansas Beverage Control Board granted Backdoor Club and Grill in Decatur, owned by Tim Witcher, a Private Club Class A license last Friday.

The new restaurant, located behind TNT Express on Arkansas Highway 59 South, opened informally last Friday evening and will hold a grand opening on Feb. 13, according to Witcher.

A Private Club Class A license will allow the business to serve whatever kind of alcoholic beverage it chooses, whether it be wine, beer or liquor, said Michael Langley, the ABC director of administration.

Langley said he initially denied the application for the club’s permit because Mayor Charles Linam and Police Chief Terry Luker objected. He explained that Witcher appealed that denial at a hearing in Little Rock on Friday.

Langley said that both the mayor and police chief were notified but did not appear at the hearing to object.

Linam said that he originally had some reservations with the opening of a private club but, after further talks with Witcher wrote the ABC board and rescinded his objections.

In addition to serving alcohol, the restaurant will also have a full service menu. The menu will include items such as biscuits and gravy, and sausage for breakfast, and hamburgers and fajitas for lunch, Witcher said.

The club will be open from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m on weekdays and from 4:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m on Friday and Saturday for the next two weeks. After the grand opening on Feb 13, it will also be open for breakfast and lunch 7 days a week, Witcher said.

News, Pages 1 on 02/01/2012