Ashland in Motion Director Danny Craig says the city has lost potential businesses because of a state law that limits alcohol sales to restaurants that can seat 100 people or more.
He says several investors have looked at Ashland to locate eateries but declined to make the move because of the alcohol restriction.
“I mean, let’s face it, I mean alcohol does help sales, it really does…particularly if you have a little entertainment going on with it or something like that. We’re not talking about a bar…we’re talking about a coffeehouse or a small bistro or something like that, maybe with an acoustic set going on in the corner. It really works in other cities, all over this country and it would work here as well. We have a lot of small spaces that are not necessarily getting utilized.” –Danny Craig
Craig is convinced those spaces could be leased by changing the alcohol law. Ashland city commissioners are considering a request from Economic Development Director Chris Pullem to ask state lawmakers to lift the 100 seat restriction.
