High Springs Residents and business owners voice support and concern over alcoholic beverage ordinance

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. (WCJB) – Residents and business owners made some noise at High Springs City Hall over one commission agenda item in particular. This item concerns an alcoholic beverage ordinance in the city, keeping the High Springs Brewing Company closed on Sundays.

The High Springs Brewing Company, which opened back in 2019 wants the ordinance to be changed.

“Because we’re choosing to be all 7 days. You know, we’re choosing to not rest,” said Kiffin Ayers, Co-Owner of the High Springs Brewing Company.

The ordinance reads that businesses which get less than 51% of their revenue from food and non-alcoholic beverages and desire to be open on Sundays or outside normal business hours, must fill out a special permit. Residents say the brewery has been a staple in the community, as they host many events and give to charities all the time.

“It’s truly one of the hallmarks of who we see ourselves as being community-driven, community-focused and wanting to see positive change in our community moving forward,” shared Ayers.

The owners of Prohibition Pizza across the street say they lose business when the brewery is closed. They also mentioned how the ordinance doesn’t allow alcohol sales until 1 p.m.

“That we’re looking for us to be recognized different than a bar, and to be able to participate in Sunday sales along with the other venues in town that just happen to sell food,” said Ayers.

Few residents who oppose revising the ordinance attended the meeting. They claim the brewery creates loud music and would affect people’s day of rest.

“Do they not make money during these events? So it’s like a win, win for them,” shared one resident who attended the meeting.

Others say traffic makes more noise and the brewery is an inclusive environment.

“It’s a family, it’s a good place so if we’re meeting some vets which vet core usually don’t have a lot of money, so we can meet and if they want a beer fine,” said resident Bob Watson.

One of the owners of the brewery says the economy has changed since 2019 with inflation and COVID , so the ordinance is outdated. City commissioners voted 4-1 to revise the language of the ordinance which would allow them to be open during city wide Sunday events and federal holidays.

“It does look positive and we can begin to move forward to see that as a compromise that we’ve been trying to work on with the city,” said Ayers. “The end reality is to be recognized different than a bar and be able to participate in Sunday sales along with other venues in town.”

Before being approved, the ordinance needs two readings. With the first happening in June. Vice-Mayor, Tristan Grunder made a motion to get the issue on the November ballot to have residents decide, but the motion died on the floor.

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