An ordinance for the packaged sales of distilled spirits had its first reading as the Ellijay City Council met Monday, Feb. 21.
Last November, a small turnout of voters passed a ballot item that asked whether sales of packaged liquor should be allowed inside the city limits. The ballot item passed with 60 votes for yes and 11 for no.
The subsequent off-premise consumption ordinance states that licensees will be allowed to sell packaged liquor from 6 a.m.-midnight, Monday through Saturday, and 12:30-11:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Packaged and by-the-drink beer and wine, as well as liquor by the drink, have previously been introduced and regulated within the Ellijay city limits.
The packaged liquor ordinance states that licensed establishments will not operate their business in connection with “any other mercantile establishment.” A packaged liquor licensee can operate in the same building complex with other businesses, however.
Sales of packaged distilled spirits won’t be allowed within 100 yards of any church building or 200 yards of any school building, education building, school grounds or college campus.
Licensed liquor sellers will not be allowed to sell, display or keep in stock at their business any other commodity except the following items: alcohol-free beverages commonly used to dilute distilled spirits; wine and malt beverages (if properly licensed); glasses, stirring sticks and other paraphernalia commonly used in consumption of alcoholic beverages; tobacco products and packaged ice.
A dollar amount was not given for the annual license fee, but the ordinance does state that application requirements for the off-premise license will be the same as for on-premise distilled spirits consumption licenses.
The ordinance must undergo a second reading, which will most likely happen at the next city council meeting, before councilmembers Sandy Ott, Tom Crawford, Katie Lancey, Al Fuller and Kevin Pritchett vote on whether or not to approve it.
In other news ...
For now, Ellijay does not have a fireworks company for this year’s Fourth of July festivities.
Mayor Al Hoyle said Atlanta Pyrotechnics International, the city’s past fireworks show provider, won’t be able to do the Fourth of July show this year.
A letter addressed to the city gave several reasons why, including current difficulty in securing the proper size truck to transport fireworks and equipment, as well as the rising costs of fireworks and importing ocean freight containers.
Hoyle said he’s reached out to other pyrotechnic companies, and, so far, has not been able to find a replacement.
Councilmembers approved a microbrewery license application for Hillbilly Holdings LLC, doing business as Cartecay Bike Shop.
Dondi Fontenot is the listed registered agent, and the proposed microbrewery will be located at 493 North Main Street.