WILDWOOD – Local bars will have to wait a little while longer to find out if they’ll be able to stay open an hour later at the end of the season.
On Wed., June 23, this city’s governing body tabled a measure that would allow licensed establishments to move their closing times from 3 to 4 a.m. In postponing the public hearing, the Commissioners cited numerous comments from business owners and citizens on both sides of the issue.
“This is too important,” Mayor Gary DeMarzo said. “I think it needs its own meeting.”
The board agreed to hold a special meeting for a public hearing on the ordinance.
When the time change was introduced on June 9, bar owners stated that the poor economy had hit their businesses particularly hard, especially the establishments along Pacific Avenue.
The owners said this move might give their businesses a shot in the arm.
At the previous meeting, DeMarzo and Commissioner Ed Harshaw seemed to be open to approving the expansion, at least on a trial basis for August and September.
Commissioner Al Brannen, on the other hand, has stated all along that he thought bars and nightclubs should try running afternoon specials and “jam sessions” rather than an extra late night hour. “Anyone who is out drinking at that time is nothing but trouble,” he has said.
Brannen reiterated those sentiments on Wednesday.
“Bars in Wildwood have 20 hours a day to do business,” he said, noting that he would work with the owners, community members and the local Chamber of Commerce to think “outside the box” on how to bring business to the bars in the daytime hours.
Anyone interested in voicing their opinions on the measure, should attend the public hearing on Wed., July 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Commissioners meeting room on the second floor of City Hall.
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