Downtown Duluth Merchants Appeal to Alcohol Board

A delegation of downtown Duluth merchants appeared before the city’s Alcohol Review Board Wednesday (Sept. 7) requesting it recommend amending the city’s alcohol beverage ordinance to allow the shopkeepers to serve a complimentary glass of wine (or beer) to their guests (customers) during special events and on other occasions.

The board lacked a quorum and although it could not act on the request, it listened to the delegation led by Shelly Howard, proprietor of Sensibly Chic on Main Street. Howard noted that the board had turned down a similar request in early 2010 and addressed the reasons cited for denial. “A lot has happened in those two years,” she said.

The merchants had done their homework with Howard presenting the board with a copy of suggested wording borrowed from the City of Cumming’s ordinance that allows a private individual, within the confines of their business, to serve alcohol to their guests, so long as the alcohol is not sold, either directly or indirectly.  

Being able to serve wine at special events, such as open houses, and to special customers to celebrate a sale, for instance, Howard said, would help the downtown merchants attract affluent, sophisticated customers. “Wine and champagne suggest a celebration,” she said.

Downtown merchants have indicated a willingness to take a training course offered by the city for alcohol servers, Howard told the board. She also gave them copies of a document signed by almost all holders of licenses to sell beer, wine and liquor in downtown Duluth supporting the merchants’ request.

Michael Ganley, chef/owner of Park Café and the Payne-Corley House special events facility, stipulated that he was in favor of the request only if the merchants took the training course. Duluth Councilwoman Marsha Bomar, who owns Chocolate Perks, requested time to review the proposed amendment.

“Our economic health is at risk,” Howard appealed. “Please give us the ability to compete in our marketplace.”

Howard read a letter from Dixie Huthmaker, co-owner of Huthmaker Fine Violins on Main Street, complaining that she had been unable to serve a glass of wine to the French ambassador when he visited the shop during an exhibit of French violins and bows sponsored by the French Embassy in 2009.

Ganley expressed concern that in some businesses serving wine might become a daily occurrence. Howard said she doubted it would be daily or that the practice would be abused. “This is not what we’re in business for,” she said. “It costs too much money to get people drunk.”

Stacie Stamper, owner of fyi design studio on Main Street, pointed out that Mark Barlow, one of the co-op’s members, can’t demonstrate his wine diffusers in her studio because tasting wine is necessary to tell the difference between other decanters. Barlow, who owns Wine Accessories Mart and Winetiques in Norcross, remarked that nearby communities aren’t as strict as Duluth regarding businesses serving complimentary wine and beer on certain occasions.

“I’m a business owner and business-minded,” said Alcohol Review Board member Dr. Slade Lail, a Duluth dentist. “Everybody wants the downtown to do great. The whole board is open-minded.” He suggested the merchants present their request again at the next meeting.

City Attorney Stephen Pereira explained the process requires a recommendation from the Alcohol Review Board to the Duluth City Council, which would ultimately decide whether to change the ordinance. The amendment could allow the merchants to serve complimentary beer and wine, but not distilled spirits, he said.

The Alcohol Review Board meeting was rescheduled to Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 5:30 p.m. at . The board will also hear requests for licenses from the Best of Brews, a proposed growler shop on Main Street, and Pure Taqueria, a restaurant under construction at Ga. Hwy. 120 and Main Street, that also had to be postponed due to lack of a quorum.

In late 2010, the Duluth City Council changed the city’s alcoholic beverage ordinance to allow residents and visitors to consume beer and wine purchased from restaurants in a two-block area downtown during city-sponsored alcohol-sanctioned events on the Town Green. The amendment applies to restaurants that have licenses to sell beer and wine.

Patrons of Park Café and Steverino’s already had this privilege since they abut the Town Green. The change included customers of Chocolate Perks located across Main Street from the Town Green and future restaurants that locate in the designated area referred to as the “red zone.” Their customers may stroll along downtown streets, window shop and visit shops in this area with their beer and wine. Merchants who don’t want alcoholic beverages in their stores can post notices.

Huthmaker emphasized in her letter that while she wasn’t allowed to serve wine to visiting dignitaries, customers from downtown restaurants can enter the violin shop carrying beer and wine.