This story originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
Two Nampa businesses have obtained licenses from the city to sell alcohol, but it took a bit of effort to get them.
At its March 30 meeting, Nampa City Council approved sales for each business, though the types of alcohol each can serve differs based on city rules.
The Flying Pickle — a pickleball establishment at 1350 N. Galleria Drive — requested a license to sell beer and wine, but not liquor. City code states that only restaurants can get a full license to serve beer, wine and liquor. The Flying Pickle, which opened Feb. 28, does not sell food.
The Berracos Grill — a Colombian restaurant at 517 12th Ave. Road — applied for a full license to sell beer, wine and liquor.
In August 2024, the city passed an ordinance “limiting the issuance of new (liquor) licenses to those connected to a restaurant as having the effect of moderating the proliferation and breadth of the consumption of liquor by the drink in the city of Nampa.”
Per the ordinance, “restaurant” is defined as “any restaurant, cafe, hotel dining room, coffee shop, cafeteria or other eating establishment having kitchen and cooking facilities for the preparation of food and where hot meals are regularly prepared and served to the public.” The primary source of revenue, “no less than 60% of gross sales from the preceding 12 months,” must come from food services.
There’s a stark difference between the cost of a city license that allows a new business applicant to sell liquor and one that doesn’t. According to the city’s alcohol license application, a new on-premises beer license — by the drink — costs $200. To add on-premises wine, it costs $200, so if you have beer and wine then it’ll cost $400. To add liquor by the drink, which includes wine, costs $562.50. The liquor addition “may not be purchased without beer license,” the application states. Overall, a full city liquor license that includes all three categories of alcohol costs $962.50.
According to the city’s alcohol license application, new business applicants must adhere to the following rules:
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New applications for liquor by the drink must be connected to a restaurant.
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The license requires Nampa City Council approval.
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The license will not be issued until the city has received copies of state and county licenses. After that, the business owner’s application goes for approval.
That doesn’t include what you need in order to be in position to get a license from a city. Here’s what businesses need to apply for a liquor license through the state. According to Idaho Farm Bureau Insurance, you need to adhere to the following requirements:
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Fingerprint cards and fees toward a background check for everyone included in the application.
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Your lease or proof that you own the property where alcohol is going to be served.
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A description of the property and proof of zoning approval.
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Your county or city building occupancy permit.
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Most up-to-date health department inspection.
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Menu with items priced individually, if food is sold.
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Information, including names and addresses, of everyone with financial interest in the business.
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Your business entity’s registration — whether its a corporation, LLC, etc.
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Financial statements for each person included in the application and the business.
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