MONROE, Ind. — A new pizzeria set to open in Monroe next month cleared a key hurdle Friday after the Adams County Alcoholic Beverage Board unanimously approved its beer and wine restaurant permit.
Brick House Woodfired Pizza LLC, located on Jackson Street, plans to open May 20 and will offer pizza, subs, salads, and a limited alcohol menu including beer, wine, and seltzers. Owner Scott A. Skinner appeared before the board to outline his business plans and confirm compliance with state alcohol regulations.
Skinner said the restaurant will operate primarily with table service, with alcohol served only from the back and limited seating—three stools—near the carry‑out station. All alcohol will be sold in bottles and cans.
The restaurant’s day‑to‑day operations will be managed by Deb Lambert, who has prior management experience at Papa Murphy’s and other local businesses. Skinner said Lambert already holds the required bartender’s license, and both servers on staff will be licensed and at least 19 years old, as required by law.
Board members reviewed the floor plan and noted that an upstairs area—currently unused—must be added to the official plan before it can be opened to customers in the future. An east‑side room labeled “optional dining” will serve as overflow seating and space for meetings or private parties.
Because the business will not open immediately, the permit will enter escrow until state commission approval on May 6 and a final inspection is completed. Skinner must also obtain Board of Health approval and a certificate of occupancy before serving customers.
Board members also discussed ID verification procedures for the local Amish population, emphasizing the importance of documenting non‑photo IDs and preventing ID sharing. Skinner said his point‑of‑sale system scans IDs and may store images, and he plans to confirm those capabilities during upcoming staff training. He added that he has already met with several Amish bishops to set expectations before opening.
The board approved the permit with no opposition.