ALPHARETTA, Ga.,None — Alpharetta city leaders will consider whether to allow visitors to enjoy alcoholic beverages on the streets of the downtown district.
Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard told Channel 2s Mike Petchenik that the aim is to make the citys downtown more vibrant and welcoming to visitors and restaurants alike. He said there are only a few restaurants in the downtown area, and only two that have a liquor license.
For a downtown to thrive, one of the things that attracts businesses and people to downtown are restaurants, he told Petchenik. To attract those restaurants, we need to make some adjustments to how we do business in downtown. This is part of that.
Drinkard said the ordinance would only allow businesses with liquor licenses to sell drinks, and it would limit it to one drink per customer. He said the ordinance would not allow for alcohol consumed in glass bottles but only in plastic cups. Unlike some cities that allow open containers only during special events, Drinkard said the city is considering allowing it year round.
52 Bistro general manager, Geoff Kokoszka, welcomed the idea. He said his restaurant is one of few open past 5 p.m.
Its pretty dark and desolate here without a whole lot of foot traffic, he said.
Kokoszka told Petchenik he believes an open container law would help attract him some competition.
I think theyd like to be able to come up here and have a drink and walk home with it after theyre finished, he said of customers.
Drinkard said the City Council would discuss the issue Monday night, but that a vote is still weeks, if not months, away.
WSBTV
