Movies at Berry Square granted liquor license

Tuesday, September 19, 2023–6:00 p.m.

-David Crowder, WRGA News-

Georgia Theater Company President Bo Chambliss speaks during Monday’s Rome Alcohol Control Commission meeting.

The Rome Alcohol Control Commission has approved a new beer, wine, and liquor pouring license for the Movies at Berry Square. Georgia Theater Company, which operates 24 theaters, mostly in the State of Georgia, purchased the theater on Martha Berry Highway in December 2021 for $1.3 million. The theater is currently undergoing a renovation.

“We have completely renovated every auditorium and we are in the process of renovating the lobby right now,” said Bo Chambliss, president of Georgia Theater Company. “When the lobby opens, it will be completely new. As part of the new concession stand, there will be a new spot where we would like to sell pre-packaged beer, and wine along with pre-packaged liquor drinks.”

This would not be the first movie theater to sell alcohol. The Village Theater on Turner McCall Boulevard, which closed several years ago, used to sell beer.

Chambliss stated that the theater will be able to meet the food-to-drink ratio with the sale of concessions, adding they plan to add new food items as part of the renovation.

The ACC voted to approve the license.

The ACC also approved a beer, wine, and liquor package license for Ravikumar Patel, who is opening up Mega Beverage Rome in the current Fazoli’s location at 42 Hicks Drive. The building will be expanded with construction expected to start in November and the store opening in April or  May. Rome City Clerk Joe Smith reminded the applicant that the approval of the permits is only good for six months and if the store is not open by then, he will have to come back before the ACC.

The alcohol control commission also approved a beer and wine package license for Vinodbhai Patel, who is planning on opening up The Spot Convenience Store and Deli in the former Roy’s Little Garden location on Dean Avenue. Patel told the ACC the deli will be the main focus of the business, which he hopes to open in the next couple of weeks.