Wednesday, July 31, 2024–11:20 a.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
The Rome Downtown Development Authority has now gone on record as opposing a proposed small bar ordinance. However, as part of their recommendation, they are asking the city to reexamine the 50-50 food-to-drink ratio, license fees, and the current state of variances.
The DDA board took the vote on Wednesday following an hour-long discussion between the board and several owners of downtown restaurants.
The proposed ordinance, as currently written, would allow establishments with 1,200 square feet of customer space to sell liquor without selling food to meet the 50-50 requirement. The bar would also have to close by 11 p.m. instead of 2 a.m. for regular pouring establishments. Small bars would also be prohibited from pouring off premises, and any type of admission fee would be prohibited with the Alcohol Control Commission having to improve any type of entertainment. Small bars would only be permitted in the Central Business Commercial and Urban Mixed Use zoning districts. There would also be a lower license fee for small bars, according to Rome City Clerk Joe Smith.
“The Alcohol Control Commission recommended that instead of the $2,500 base fee, it would be $2,000,” he said. “Liquor, including the small bar, would still be a volume base system with a base fee, so much per liter after that, to a maximum of $5,000.”
Smith added the recommendation was made because small bars would have restricted hours and other restrictions.
The Rome City Commission has twice voted down a small bar ordinance, both times by split votes.
DDA Director Aundi Lesley shared some of the feedback she received during those previous discussions. A lot of it focused on fairness to those establishments that do have to meet the food-to-drink ratio.
“The general consensus from full-service restaurants is that they have invested a lot, which we know they are,” she said. “It’s very expensive, and we have owners of full-service restaurants here who can speak to the investment in commercial kitchens, the staff, and things of that nature. It is a delicate situation for the DDA because we want to hear from everyone. It’s a difficult decision because people have a vested interest and people are in favor or opposed for various reasons.”
Lesley added that the DDA knows, based on surveys and other data that the number one thing that brings people downtown is dining.
According to Smith, if the small bar ordinance is adopted it would get rid of the need for variances. Currently, there are two establishments operating with variances. Old Havana is able to count tobacco sales toward meeting the 50-50 ratio while Alibi Prohibition and Combat Market is allowed by a variance to count gun sales. In addition, Melvin Scott has indicated that he would like to request a variance to use the sale of premium tobacco products instead of food to meet the ratio for his Elevation Cigar House on North Fifth Avenue.
“Given a choice between the small bar ordinance or taking a hard look at adjusting the food-to-drink ratio, I’m in favor of adjusting the food-to-drink ratio,” Smith said.
Another concern raised by the owners of pouring establishments is the current alcohol license fees, which are high, compared to other cities in the state. Some establishments are paying a total of $8,000.
Lesley said a common misconception regarding the food-to-drink ratio is that is to limit alcohol consumption when it is actually in place to encourage a mix and balance of businesses.
DDA board member Kelli Duncan made the motion to recommend the denial of the small bar ordinance and to support a closer look at the ratio, variance, and license fees.
“It feels like a lot of this came from the ratio being really difficult to meet,” she said. “So people then want to try to do variances and the people who do have variances, it looks like most of them still have an issue with meeting them.”
The small bar ordinance, along with the recommendation from the DDA, will go before the Rome City Commission on August 12.