DECATUR — Timothy Witcher, last week, submitted an application to Arkansas' Alcoholic Beverage Control Division to operate a liquor store in Decatur, according to the weekly reports posted on the agency’s website.

The store would be named T-N-T Liquor and would be located at 1190-A Arkansas Highway 59.

Mayor Charles Linam said he and Police Chief Terry Luker received a letter from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board on March 11, notifying them of the application and asking for any objections. The letter was also sent to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuting attorney Van Stone.

Linam presented the letter to the city council on March 11 and there were no comments.

Only 55 permits will be issued in Benton County and more than 300 have already applied, Linam said.

A lottery drawing will be held this spring to determine in what order applicants will receive a hearing before the ABC Board. Only the first 55 approved applicants will be granted permits.

The Backdoor Club and Grill, also owned by Timothy Witcher, received a private club permit last year, allowing the restaurant to serve alcohol.

Witcher applied for a permit to sell beer and wine for off-premises consumption at the T-NT Express truck stop last month.