Two food and drink establishments in Zion National Park were awarded liquor licenses Thursday during a special meeting of Utah’s liquor commission.
Red Rock Grill and Castle Dome Cafe, both located in the Zion National Park Lodge, were on the agenda for the meeting of the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS) commission.
Castle Dome Cafe, which offers quick options for lunch and dinner as well as a cafe and a micro market, got a license to sell beer in its beer garden. Red Rock Grill — which serves soups, sandwiches, a variety of entrees and breakfast options — was given a full liquor license.
The special meeting was called because the contract for the park’s new concessionaire, POWDR, went into effect on Jan. 1, and the Park City company wanted to start serving patrons as soon as possible, DABS spokesperson Michelle Schmitt said. POWDR — which also operates concessions at Snowbird and Woodward Park City — had requested a special commission meeting to consider awarding the liquor licenses before the regular DABS meeting on Jan. 30.
Xanterra, which had operated concessions at the park since 1972 before the contract was awarded to POWDR in May, surrendered the liquor licenses for Castle Dome Cafe and Red Rock Grill on Dec. 31, Schmitt said.
Also at Thursday’s meeting, commissioners confirmed the appointment of a deputy director of legal and regulatory affairs for the DABS. In his new role, Brian Swan will help DABS work through contracts, connect with the Attorney General’s Office, help lead the department’s Division of Compliance and Licensing and support DABS director Tiffany Clason throughout the Legislature.
Before taking the job with DABS, Swan worked in real estate and the Attorney General’s Office, and served as legal counsel to the State Records Committee.
