2 chains hit by lack of liquor licenses

 (Salt Lake Tribune) Restaurant chains Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and California Pizza Kitchen will be opening in Salt Lake City and Murray, but unlike their locations elsewhere, they're making concessions here to cope with a shortage of available liquor licenses.

With only a limited numbers of permits, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission turned down applications from eight other restaurants Tuesday. Among them was Linda McComb, owner of the Electric Cafe in St. George, which she calls a noncorporate-cookie cutter restaurant.

"Without a license, I won't be able to stay open," said McComb. "I'm losing customers every day."

For California Pizza Kitchen, the best state officials could do was give out a "summer seasonal" license that's good only until Oct. 31. The Murray restaurant is set to open at Fashion Place Mall on May 15.

A visibly shaken Steve Rich, a senior vice president with the chain, had no comment.

Ruth's Chris got only one of two permits it was seeking.

Original Article