Representatives of two Benton restaurants have requested Benton officials re-examine the city's Sunday liquor sales ordinance.
Jake Betts of Joe's Pizza and Carlos Hernandez of La Fiesta said they are losing revenue to other communities that don't limit Sunday liquor sales to just 12 times a year.
Hernandez, who also operates a store in West Frankfort, said that community recently lifted its ban on Sunday liquor sales. He said communities must change in order to meet the needs of a changing society.
"Benton hasn't grown in the last 10 years," he said. "Nobody goes to a restaurant to get drunk. We're not a bar. If people want to drink on Sundays they are going to drive and they are going to spend money. And they may get pulled over or have an accident if they drink too much. There's consequences to travel, drinking and coming back."
He added West Frankfort has not had any alcohol-related issues on Sundays since adopting a new ordinance. He presented the mayor with a letter from West Frankfort mayor Tom Jordan. That city allows for six Class D restaurant liquor licenses at $800 per year. With the licenses, restaurants may sell alcohol between 1 and 6 p.m. Sundays, according to information on the city's website.
"I think it's time to move forward and let the money that goes to West City stay local," Hernandez said.
"We're losing taxable dollars from liquor on Sundays, and I don't mean the $2.25 beer," Betts added. "The fact that if there are two families together and the two dads want to grab a beer with their dinner, that's $4.50 of alcohol. But those two families together are going to bring $80 of taxable money to Benton. Instead they are going to go to Applebee's (in West City) and grab a steak and beer because they can do so on Sundays."
Betts said Joe's alcohol sales represent 1.3 percent of its total business; Hernandez said La Fiesta's alcohol income represents about 10 to 12 percent of its total business.
Mayor Fred Kondritz said the council would "take what they say and come up with a decision" in the near future.
In other business, the council approved purchasing equipment for the canine unit, raised through private donations; equipment and accessories for the two new police squad cars; a proposal and contract for Republic Services to provide recycling services; expenses of $1,615 to John Cerney for the Beatles/George Harrison mural project; and the hiring of a student worker through the high school Career Prep Program for one semester. The student will work at city hall under the supervision of City Clerk Brook Craig at minimum wage.
