Sylva business owners had mixed reactions to the recently defeated “liquor by the drink” referendum.
The referendum on the Nov. 6 ballot was to permit the sale of mixed beverages in hotels, restaurants, private clubs, community theaters and convention centers. The vote was 209 for and 220 against.

“The town just isn’t ready,” said Kim Anthony, co-owner of Lulu’s On Main. Anthony said she felt the sale of mixed beverages would mean increased revenues for the community and the county, “but you only get these things done through numbers.”

It’s difficult to get a good grasp on what the numbers are. There is some dedicated support and some dedicated opposition, but according to an Aug. 9 report in the Sylva Herald, results from 15 Smart Growth meetings held throughout the county between October 2000 and June 2001 recorded only 10 citizens who felt liquor by the drink was an issue the county needed to address.

Jason Kimenker owns Soul Infusion Tea House. He believes the issue deserves much more study and public discussion.

When he learned of the referendum, Kimenker contacted the Economic Development Commission to see what kind of economic impact studies had been done. He was surprised to learn that no studies had been conducted.

“How can we, as citizens, make informed decisions with no information,” he asked?

Kimenker thinks one of the impacts of mixed beverage sales in Sylva would be an influx of corporate chain restaurants whose businesses depend on liquor sales. He didn’t think these franchises had much to offer Sylva other than a few extra tourist dollars and perhaps an increased tax base.

“We opened Soul Infusion to create a gathering place, to create something that would be a part of the community and a part of the mountains,” Kimenker said.

Kimenker, who has beer and wine permits, said he wouldn’t sell liquor if a referendum passed.
“I have no qualms about what any other business might choose to do — it’s just not for me.”

Kimenker said the referendum was important and the issue should be publicly discussed. The media failed to focus the attention this issue merited, he said.

Anthony also had a complaint about the process. She said her business was in town and she paid town taxes, but she had no voice because she lives outside the town limits. But she feels it’s just a matter of time.

“Maybe next referendum will only lack three votes. It’s inevitable,” Anthony said.

 

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The Smoky Mountain News