| 2011-11-11 - City Revamps alcohol rules and fees
After the November special elections for alcohol sales on Sunday both by the drink and for package sales, the City Council rewrote its alcohol ordinance. "It was just a byzantine mess", said City Attorney Chris Huskins.
Package sale of beer and wine can occur from 12:01 a.m. Monday morning until 12:00 Midnight on Saturday and from 12:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon until 11:30 p.m. Sunday night.
Package sales of distilled spirits are from 7:00 am until 12:00 midnight Monday through Saturday and from 12:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon until 11:30 p.m. Sunday night.
All alcohol by the drink can occur from 9:00 am until 2:00 Monday thru Saturday and again from 12:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon until 11:30 Sunday night. There are special rules when New Years eve fall on Sunday and the fee schedule has been revamped to make it more realistic and affordable.
One interesting new item in the rewrite is the allowance that Georgia Farm Wineries have. In an effort to attract them to our festivals special $100 permits are offered to Farm Wineries so that they can come and sell bottles of their wine and provide samples to interested patrons.
Some people in the City hope this will spur more restaurants to come into town and increase not only sales tax but the alcohol tax both the City and the County share under a Local Option Sales Tax agreement. With more destination places, such as restaurants, in the City, other businesses should also see an increase in store traffic and sales.
Putnam County did not have either alcohol referendum on a ballot for County voters to choose so the alcohol allowance is only in the City of Eatonton at this time.
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