Several local businesses and residents are asking the City of Smithville to revise its regulations over the sale of beer in the downtown area. They say that the change is needed to provide a more level playing field for downtown businesses and to inspire more growth around the Courthouse Square and downtown.
During the regular meeting of the Smithville Board of Mayor and Aldermen, on June 3, local businessman Tony Luna addressed the board saying that the existing beer ordinance is impeding economic growth and is unfair due to distance requirements to obtain a beer permit.
Currently, the beer ordinance forbids beer permits from being issued within 400 feet of any school or church. The distance requirement is measured, as the crow flies, from the primary entrance of the establishment seeking a permit to sell beer to the primary entrance of the school or church.
Luna said that two businesses downtown currently have permits, but one of them got their permit through the state for the sale of high gravity beer. “Picture this, you step out of our historic courthouse, and only 170 paces to the west, you can obtain a beer license, and a few steps to the east, and there it is again-a beer license. But what about the streets in between? Why are they left out of this opportunity.”
“It’s not a matter of mere convenience, it’s a matter of fairness. Our local entrepreneurs, small business owners, and aspiring restaurateurs deserve equal access to economic growth. The current system creates an uneven playing field-one where some strive while others struggle to keep up,” Luna continued.
“As we all know, Smithville and Center Hill Lake, is more than just a dot on the map. It’s a hidden gem-our charming streets, friendly faces, and warm hospitality draw visitors from all corners of Tennessee and beyond. We are a tourist-destination waiting to bloom,” explained Luna.
“Imagine the possibilities: boutique breweries, cozy pubs, and vibrant eateries lining our streets. Picture tourists enjoying local craft beers, sharing stories, and creating memories. Our community has the potential to become a hub for food experiences, live music, and cultural exchange.”
“Our beer laws are outdated. I have no intention of opening a pub or restaurant. I am here as a business owner that can see the missing link that other small towns are doing, and we are missing out on tax dollars that we need. I am vested in the town and county and would love to see a town where every street, every corner, and every business thrives,” said Luna.
The owners of the Refined Boutique and the 105 West Main building, Ken and Erin Fennell, also addressed the meeting. “Respectfully we ask for consideration of removing the beer ordinance. The reason is business growth for everybody and prospering Smithville.”
“The National Restaurant Association says that seven in 10 customers are likely to choose a restaurant based on the availability of beer, wine or cocktails. The margins of those items are far greater than food itself.”
“This past Saturday at three o’clock I dropped a couple of things off at our store and then left. Downtown at that time was dead. Nobody was there. Down the road Twisted Oaks was standing room only. You couldn’t get another car in the parking lot. I think you find the correlation there with the food and beverage and the options for entertainment outside listening to music. We need that,” said Fennell.
Local resident Gary Booth also spoke at the meeting saying, “I don’t own any businesses downtown and I don’t drink beer, but I want to make it clear that I stand in support of the two people here who were talking about relaxing and or otherwise adjusting the rules just to create more options downtown. I would really like to see more opportunities for the city to get more money in terms of taxes for the city to grow and to give residents more reason to come downtown. I do stand in support of that even though I won’t be having a beer,” said Booth
Any change in the beer ordinance will require passage of an ordinance on two separate readings, and a public hearing.
