TABC issues permits for Yassine bars

AUSTIN (KXAN) - When state and federal agencies shut down Yassine Enterprises last spring, numerous clubs and bars in Downtown Austin owned by the business have been sitting idle while the dust settles, but that will be changing soon.

On Wednesday, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission issued four new permits at former Yassine locations.

• Bourbon Girl at 212 E. 6th Street, the former site of Spill    
• 413 Bar at 413 E. 6th Street, the former site of Treasure Island        
• Chicago House at 607 Trinity, the former site of Fuel    
• Castro's Warehouse at 213 W. 4th Street, the former site of Hyde

TABC was allowed to cancel four of the permits that Yassine held, which now allows other owners to obtain new permits. Late Wednesday, TABC was allowed to cancel the permits for the other five locations: Malaia, Kiss & Fly, Roial, Pure and Stack Burger.

TABC sought cancellation of these nine permits after Yassine was arrested on federal money laundering charges.

After months of hearings and continuances, the State Office of Administrative Hearings judge determined that TABC had the rights to cancel the permits.

While some new business owners have stepped in to rent several of the former Yassine bars, TABC has been unable to issue permits to new business owners at these nine locations until orders were signed to cancel the permits held by Yassine.

TABC says Yassine still has the opportunity to request a rehearing and to file an appeal of these orders.

Jason Carrier and his partners, the Womack brothers, will be the new operators of Bourbon Girl, the former site of Spill. They currently operate Molotov, the Dogwood, as well as several other Downtown bars.