Curry approves Clovis Axe liquor license

The owners of an ax-throwing venue and shooting range facility outside Clovis won approval for a restaurant liquor license from Curry County commissioners Tuesday. That was despite safety concerns raised about the facility’s emergency exits, access between the two areas, and the wisdom of having alcohol on-site next to a firearms business.

Clovis Axe, which shares ownership with Albuquerque-based firing range and gun dealer Calibers Shooting Sports Centers, requested a restaurant liquor license, which would allow them to sell beer and wine on the premises. Clovis Axe, where the food and drink area would be located, is connected by a door to the Calibers indoor range.

The request has already gained preliminary approval from the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department.

Calibers CEO Ryan Burt told commissioners Tuesday that the venue, at 1654 U.S. 60/84, aims to serve residents at Cannon Air Force Base, directly across the street.

“We’re trying to figure out opportunities for the airmen,” Burt said, adding that the facility has hosted events for the base that were attended by 100 to 200 people. “... They’d like to sit there, have a small meal, have a beer, just relax with their families.”

Curry County Manager Lance Pyle said the license still must receive state approval. Pyle said he did not know how long that might take.

Concerns

Curry County Fire & Safety Director Michael Booth said he has concerns about the facility’s safety, even without considering the requested liquor license.

Booth said the ax-throwing venue’s capacity requires that it have two fire exits, but it only has one. A second door out of the venue leads directly into the fire range, which Booth said “should be shut off completely.”

Another concern is that the partition between the dining area and the ax-throwing area is not a fire-rated wall -- instead, it’s plywood that doesn’t reach all the way to the ceiling.

“It’s supposed to be sealed off, so if we have a fire it’s contained in one area,” Booth said.

Burt said he would be willing to address those issues, including installing an exterior door in the dining area.

Booth said he is consulting with the Code Enforcement Division with the state fire marshal’s office and the New Mexico Construction Industries Division.

In a letter to commissioners submitted ahead of the meeting, Booth also raised concerns about the venue’s concept overall.

Burt said the venue would not sell hard liquor, and would implement a three-drink maximum, monitored with hand stamps. Patrons who staff know have been drinking would not be allowed to purchase a gun or go into the shooting range.

“If you come in and we even think that you smell of anything, whether it’s cannabis, alcohol, anything, we’ll kick you out,” Burt said. “I’ve got too much on the line personally.”

Booth said in his letter he doesn’t know if those measures are enough.

“I do not think that alcohol and guns should be allowed due to so many incidents that have been linked to these two items,” he wrote. “I am not truly accepting with the fact that alcohol will be around axes, ninja stars and miniature shovels and people throwing these and hopefully abiding by the rules.”

Booth also previously said the building was not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Burt said that as of Monday, those upgrades had been completed.

Approval

Several commissioners said they shared Booth’s concerns, and they briefly considered holding off on voting on the request. County Manager Pyle told them, however, they had to vote on the request within 30 days of Tuesday’s public hearing. Commissioners aren’t scheduled to meet again within 30 days.

Pyle also said commissioners could not give conditional approval contingent on the business following certain actions. Commission Chair Robert Thornton noted that Booth can still shut the business down if it operates without making the fixes.

Commissioners approved the request in a 4-1 vote, with only Thornton voting against it.

“I don’t want to prevent something from growth of a good service to somebody,” said Commissioner Brad Bender.

“... It sounds like (Burt is) willing to take all the proper precautions with going forward. … I would hope that you would stay strong in that.”