Williamsburg Mayor says city plans to take it slow on alcohol ordinances

A sign on one local lawn expresses sarcastic impatience over the lack of new restaurants in Williamsburg following the passage of a liquor by the drink vote last week in the city.

Following last week’s alcohol sales referendum in Williamsburg, city leaders are busy trying to figure out the next steps before legal alcohol sales can take place, but it could be several months before the beer taps start flowing.

Even then, alcohol sales provide no guarantee that restaurants serving alcohol will be successful, if history is any indication.
By a vote of 533-519 last Tuesday, Williamsburg voters authorized the sale of alcohol by the drink at restaurants, which seat at least 100 people and derive 70 percent or more of their profits from food sales.

Whitley County Clerk Kay Schwartz said that the election results were certified by her office on election night, and there was no request for a recanvass.

Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison said he is currently doing research and talking with the Kentucky Alcohol Beverage Control Commission to find out the next steps the city must take.

Among other things, he is obtaining copies of ordinances passed by other towns, which have passed similar referendums.

"This is not an over night thing. It is not going to happen over night, and should not happen over night because you do not want to make mistakes. You want to do what’s right," he said.

"We are going to move at a steady pace, but not too quick of a pace. We are going to move at a pace that is right for Williamsburg."

Two existing restaurants in town, El Dorados and Hong Kong Buffet, are apparently interested in selling alcohol, Harrison said.
He added that he has already contacted the two investors, who promised to open franchise restaurants in Williamsburg if the moist vote passed.

"I said, ‘Here’s the vote, now what?’ I have still been assured that the two new restaurants will be coming," Harrison said. "I don’t think it is going to be over night. I’m afraid that’s what people think that if it doesn’t happen over night, then here we go."

He said the two investing groups seem to want to take a step back to make sure they put the "right" restaurants in for Williamsburg.

Harrison said that he is still not at liberty to say, who the two groups are.

City regulation

Harrison said there is a lot of work to do before the issue of a license to sell alcohol can even be discussed.

The Williamsburg City Council has 60 days to pass an ordinance setting hours when alcohol can be sold, which is usually 6 a.m. – midnight Monday through Saturday. Local government bodies can also vote to allow alcohol sales after 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Harrison said he hasn’t polled any council members about their stance on Sunday alcohol sales.

He said the advice he has gotten is to contact other cities to see what they have done on Sunday sales, and then think through "what will attract a business and what is best for Williamsburg?"

The ordinance will set fees that can be charged, including an annual $900 state fee, a $250 annual federal fee, and a city fee up to $1,000. Corbin charges an $800 annual fee. The council can also levy a 6 percent alcohol sales tax.

In addition, the city will have to appoint an alcohol beverage control administrator or board to oversee the regulations. In Corbin, the position is currently handled by the assistant police chief.

Harrison said that he has spoken with Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird about possibly serving in that role, but that state alcohol officials have told him there are pros and cons to having the police chief serve as the city alcoholic beverage administrator.

After Corbin voters approved an identical alcohol sales referendum on May 20, 2003, it took the Corbin City Commission about six weeks to approve its 14-page alcohol ordinance, which involves a 27-page liquor license packet for applicants.

Harrison said that it’s possible state alcohol officials may be asked to make a presentation to the city council before an ordinance is approved so city officials can become more educated on the process.

"I want to assure people that we are going to do what is right," he said. "We are not going to let this get out of hand that was never what this issue was about any way. We are going to do what’s right for this town. I can promise that."

Harrison said he doesn’t feel the alcohol referendum was about just restaurants, as much as it is about the perception of town and the perception of Williamsburg in the future.

"Restaurants are a good first step, but what else can happen?" he added.

Corbin alcohol

In Corbin, it took over nine months after voters approved alcohol sales before the first alcoholic drinks were served.

On Dec. 31, 2003, El Dorados became the first restaurant to file for a liquor license in Corbin. On Feb. 26, 2004, the restaurant became the first to legally serve alcohol to the public in Corbin since the 1950s. The move resulted in business that first weekend tripling for El Dorados.

As 2004 progressed, Angels and Wings got the second liquor license in late April followed by O’Malley’s applying for a license in June.

In October, the Vintage House became the fourth restaurant to open up and serve alcohol in Corbin followed by The Depot on Main, which opened in late November 2004.

Out of those first five Corbin restaurants with a liquor license, only El Dorados and The Depot on Main are still in business.