The Casual Pint sold, rebranding as The Admiral’s Pub Aug. 1

Farragut’s The Casual Pint has a new owner, Andy Fox, who recently purchased the business — not The Casual Pint franchise — from Pat and Barb O’Brien with plans to rebrand it The Admiral’s Pub.

Fox, a Farragut resident, made his plans known Thursday, June 27, before Farragut’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen, seated as the Town’s Beer Board, as he successfully petitioned for a beer permit.

The chance to purchase the O’Briens’ business “was a great opportunity,” Fox said.

“I met the owners as a patron,” Fox said. “Pat had wanted out of (the business) for some time, and the couple was ready to retire.”

Fox told the Board he has been in the restaurant business for 30 years, and currently operates four restaurants in Tellico Village, including the Tellico Village Yacht Club, Tanasi Bar and Grill and Toqua Bar and Grill.

While not keeping the name, Fox said he does intend to keep much of the specialized beer inventory guests have grown to expect.

“I will keep the craft beer and taps, as I am planning to entertain a similar demographic,” he said.

Fox said he sees a “real need” for the spot, and only has to look around at his “40-to-60-year-old neighbors” to realize it.

“There are hundreds of households with families just like mine, who just want to be able to hang out and go grab a beer,” he said.

Fox said he also has plans to get a liquor license to enable him to sell wine, but “I definitely don’t foresee having a full bar.”

He plans to open as The Admiral’s Pub Thursday, Aug. 1.

In other business:

• The Beer Board unanimously approved a request from Stephen Krempasky, executive director of Shop Farragut/Farragut Business Alliance, for an on-site beer permit for Dog Daze II, which will be held Aug. 16-18 in Village Green Shopping Center parking lot.