|
Some thoughts about tonight's upcoming vote on "suspending" the food sales percent requirements of the Alcohol Ordinance. A food sales requirement has always been a part of the obligation for holding a liquor sales license in the City of Remerton. Straight up bars (liquor and beer only) were never permitted. A percentage of gross sales being food was only required for Sunday liquor sales. And that percentage is set at 50% by the State regulations. Until the current Liquor Ordinance was enacted last January there was no statutory % requirement. It was phased in over three quarters last year to the final 30%. Restaurant are required to turn in quarterly sales reports to the City separating the liquor and food sales. There has been laughter from Council at several sessions over the the fictitious numbers reported by some establishments. During December and January meetings whether and how to conduct an audit was discussed. The result of that request? Suspend the food sales requirement so as not to hurt any of these businesses during the current economic climate. Here a a few questions: If establishments are turning in obviously bogus numbers to the City are they doing the same on their monthly State sales tax reports? Has anyone from the City requested a copy of these reports to correlate with the quarterly reports? Why should we care? Because the City receives a direct 1% of the gross reported sales of all businesses in Remerton in the form of SPLOST funds. Why have a food sales requirement at all? The idea was to keep out pure drinking bars and the law enforcement and public nuisance they bring. If the suspension happens we'll be back to the crockpot and a package of frozen buns and hotdogs, served twenty different ways. Did it ever change?
If we do not want to harm businesses during these hard times why not eliminate the anti-adult entertainment language as well? That should bring in some new businesses and revenue for the City.
|
Written by darthvader on 2010-02-09 16:30:25
Hell yeah, Remerton needs a good titty bar! | Written by Lady? on 2010-02-11 14:23:41
If the council doesn't want to hurt the business of the bars, have they considered what they are doing to the real estate? Soon no one want to buy anything in Remerton. Rent will start to drop, conditions of the real estate will start to drop, other business will move out, and Remerton will end just up like it was about 20 years ago. Lower class people, low rent, falling in buildings.
Wake up Council.... look at recent history..... Stick to your guns about food percentage.... or, are you all renters too, and don't give a damn! |
|
Home 
All Articles 