The amendment will allow microbreweries without restaurant status, and any other future microbreweries to be open on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. without having to hold a restaurant licence.
Commissioner Sarah Holland said the ordinance will likely have a positive impact on local tourism. "For me, it was about leveling the playing field. We only have two microbreweries in town, and though one chooses not to be open on Sunday they could sell if they wanted to," Holland said. "And so it only seemed fair to allow the other microbrewery to sell on Sunday. And as we continue to grow that area, which is good for local economy; Its good for tourism, then we want our ordinances to reflect that priority."
Holland was not the only commissioner to mention how allowing the microbreweries to sell on Sunday would impact tourism.
"I guess it's about supporting tourism, isn't it? If you think about it, what industry do we have direct control of as a city? Well, that's tourism. Frankfort kind of controls a lot of other industry locations, but this we can promote ourselves, and so why wouldn't you?" said Commissioner Allan Rhodes.
Not everyone at the meeting agreed that the ordinance will be a positive thing. Concerned citizen Russell Hobbs asked the commission not to pass it, saying he felt it would interfere with the community's worship. "I felt like we need to remember the Sabbath day and Keep it holy," Hobbs said. Hobbs also said alcohol causes more damage than it does good.
Commissioner Richard Abraham said, "We had one gentleman come and voice his concern about having that brewery open on Sunday. It all comes back to a personal responsibility. I think we all have that, and so having said that we're going to allow it, but each of us are responsible for our own conduct."
Abraham also mentioned that the Paducah Police Department and other city offices are aware of the work it takes, and they will make sure that they are up to speed on the things they need to do to keep the community safe.
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