The Village of Iola Board will meet Tuesday, June 9, at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Iola Village Hall, 180 S. Main St., to consider renewals of multiple alcohol beverage and tobacco licenses, temporary event permits and other routine village business.

The board will act on renewals of Class “A,” Class “B” and related alcohol beverage licenses for the period July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. Businesses with alcoholic beverage licenses up for renewal include: Finally K. Inc. d.b.a. Iola Sentry Foods, 125 Meadow Rd.; Depot Street Station, LLC d.b.a. Depot Street Station, 140 Depot St.; Depot Street Station, LLC d.b.a. Iola Cenex, 305 N. Main St.; LittleWolf Gallery, 180 N. Main St.; Regen Iola Mills, LLC d.b.a. Iola Mills, 300 N. Main St.; Crystal Café, LLC d.b.a. Crystal Café, 126 N. Main St.; Rustic Golf Properties, Inc. d.b.a. Rustic Grill at Glacier Wood, 604 Water St.; Iola Old Car Show, Inc. d.b.a. Iola Car Show-Otto’s Bar & Beer Garden, 350 Chrome Place; 10LA Corner Bar & Grill, LLC, 195 N. Main St.; and 160 W Iola St Iola WI 54945, LLC d.b.a. Mark McCoy Flat Tracker Tap, 160 W. Iola St.

The board will also consider a new Class “B”/Class “B” alcohol beverage license for Thirsty Perch, LLC, 195 Water St., along with a waiver to allow operation within 300 feet of a church, school or hospital, and an annual outdoor music permit for the business.

Several temporary permits are on the agenda for upcoming community events. The board will consider temporary Class “B” beverage licenses, a temporary music permit and related fee waivers for the I-S Chamber of Commerce for July 3 or July 5 at 405 Water St., plus a temporary operator’s permit for the chamber’s fireworks at Olson Park. It will also review a temporary Class “B” beverage license for Bull Falls Harley-Davidson for an Aug. 23 event.

In other new business, the board will discuss rescheduling the August 2026 meeting, notice of a DNR individual permit for a fishing pier, a recommendation to approve blue siding at 385 North Main St., a donation for fire department prevention programs, and adoption of Resolution 2026-05 regarding the 2025 compliance maintenance annual report for the wastewater treatment plant and sanitary system. It will also act on numerous operator permits and premise extensions for the Iola Car Show.

The board plans to approve the minutes of the May meetings, hear committee reports, and review the May financial report and bills before adjourning. The meeting is open to the public.

Wisconsin Alcohol Licensing

The Village of Iola Board and other Wisconsin municipalities handle the bulk of retail alcohol licensing under Chapter 125 of the state statutes, a system that combines local control with state oversight from the Department of Revenue’s Division of Alcohol Beverages.

Municipalities such as villages, cities, and towns issue most retail licenses for bars, restaurants, grocery stores, and convenience outlets. The state manages permits for producers, wholesalers, and manufacturers. Annual retail licenses typically run from July 1 through June 30, aligning with the renewal cycle now under consideration by boards across the state, including Iola’s meeting scheduled for Tuesday.

Wisconsin classifies beer and intoxicating liquor licenses separately. Class “A” beer and Class “A” liquor licenses allow off-premises sales in original packaging, commonly used by grocery stores and gas stations. Class “B” licenses permit on-premises consumption and, in many cases, limited off-premises sales. “Class C” wine licenses support restaurant wine service. Temporary Class “B” (often called picnic) licenses enable short-term event sales, while operator’s permits are required for individuals who serve alcohol.

Local governing bodies approve or deny applications using broad “good judgment” authority. A population-based quota system limits the number of full “Class B” intoxicating liquor licenses, though Class “A” and many beer licenses face fewer restrictions. Applicants must be at least 21, meet residency requirements, pass background checks and demonstrate suitability. Municipalities can require public notice, fees and sometimes waivers for location restrictions, such as operating near schools or churches.

For upcoming community events, boards routinely consider temporary beverage licenses, music permits, fee waivers, and premise extensions for large gatherings. The Iola Car Show and I-S Chamber of Commerce fireworks exemplify typical seasonal requests.

The system balances public safety, responsible service training and local economic interests.

Recent legislative updates have streamlined certain processes and expanded options for retailers. Businesses and event organizers should contact their local municipal clerk for application details, deadlines and current fees, while referring to state publications from the Department of Revenue for full compliance guidance.