Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 4, 1993 TAG: 9311040226
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ADRIENNE PETTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"It gives us a lot more ways to use alcohol in food," she said.
But to restaurant owners on the Franklin County side of Smith Mountain Lake, the end of their decade-long quest for mixed-drink sales has even more far-reaching implications.
"I think it's an economic boost to the complete community," said developer Ron Willard, who owns Water's Edge and Waterfront country clubs. "It will open a lot more avenues and create a better opportunity for people who want to bring businesses to the area."
Indeed, restaurateurs in the Gills Creek District, which approved liquor by the drink two years ago, say mixed-drink sales have helped their bottom line.
"The two things you see mostly is your average check cover improves, and your profit margin improves," said Joe Baraty, general manager of Bernard's Landing Resort and Conference Center. "In the past, someone would eat a meal, have a cup of coffee, and you might see a $10 average check. Now, a person comes in to get a mixed drink, and your average check goes up to at least $13 or $15."
A restaurant in the Union Hall area that wants to serve mixed drinks will have to apply to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board for a license.
Wallace Van, assistant special agent at the ABC office in Roanoke, said that restaurants must show that they are bona fide, full-service restaurants with monthly food sales of at least $4,000, $2,000 of which must be in the form of meals with entrees.
Willard said one reason the measure finally passed this year was that a newly formed group, the Union Hall Citizens for Economic Growth, was able to convince voters that liquor-by-the-drink is an economic issue, not a moral issue.
June Altice, a voter in Union Hall, agreed that mixed-drink sales will help keep money in the community that used to go to Roanoke, where many people would travel to sip cocktails.
"I think it will help our economy," she said.
Willard also said that letting restaurants serve cocktails will make drinking in the area more safe than with brown-bagging liquor.
"Before, people could just bring in a fifth or half a gallon [at private parties the club hosted]," he said. "Now, they'll have to go through our bartenders, which will give us control of it."
But some residents still gripe that mixed drinks will put more drunken drivers on the road.
"A lot of people think it will keep money in the community," said Elsie Perdue of Glade Hill. "But to me, it just puts more people drinking on the road."
Even some business owners are cautious about serving mixed drinks.
"It's a headache," said Joe Altadonna, owner of Sal's Pizza and Italian Restaurant near Moneta. "It's a good profit, but I don't want it right now."
by CNB