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THE ALLIANCE OF ALCOHOL INDUSTRY ATTORNEYS & CONSULTANTS

Gatlinburg Fire Impacts Tennessee Distilleries and Restaurants

Written by Brad Dawson on . Posted in Will Cheek's Last Call Blog.

Reliable industry sources indicate that miraculously, all of the numerous distilleries in Sevier County, Tennessee escaped wildfires that ravished Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and surrounding areas.  The fires on the strip of Gatlinburg came perilously close.  Here is a photo from the security cameras at one distillery on the strip:

Fire off the Gatlinburg Pakway

Fire off the Gatlinburg Parkway

At this time, we understand that a few restaurants were mostly likely destroyed by the fires, but we have no specific information.  Keep in mind that civilians have not been allowed back into Gatlinburg since the fires.

 

Although distillery facilities escaped direct impact from the fires, we expect that there may be smoke damage, difficulty with retrieving records and certainly time-related pressure for filing returns.  We have reached out to our contacts at TTB and have requested that TTB consider a procedure for late filing and payment of taxes for impacted distilleries.  You can learn more about the TTB claims process at this link:

https://www.ttb.gov/public_info/disaster_claims_packet.shtml

Rob Pinson and Will Cheek have agreed to provide complimentary legal services to assist impacted distilleries with immediate legal needs resulting from the fires.  If you have questions concerning TTB, ABC or Tennessee Department of Revenue issues from the fire, please reach out to us at rpinson@bonelaw.com or will@willcheek.com.

Although distilleries escaped the worst of the fires, several distillery employees lost their homes and nearly everything they own.  Our thoughts go out to these folks and we encourage everyone to consider making a donation to help these industry members.  We know of the following assistance funds that have already been set up.

Ole Smoky:

Go Fund Me https://www.gofundme.com/displaced-families-of-ole-smoky

 

Sugarlands:

1)         Monetary donations can be mailed to:

CNB, 2661 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37865

Sugarlands Employee Emergency Assistance Fund – Account Number 4036124

2)         Gift card donations can be mailed to:

Sugarlands Employee Emergency Assistance, C/O Sugarlands Distilling Company,

P.O. Box 1517, Pigeon Forge, TN 37865

If any distillery has a fund to add to this list, please e-mail us at will@willcheek.com.

We wish the best to our friends during this tragic time.

Original author: William T. Cheek III

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