Alcohol May Flow Earlier on Sundays, Brunch Cocktails Cited as Factor

AVALON – Visitors to Avalon this summer may be able to enjoy a Mimosa or Bloody Mary with their Sunday brunch.  
Responding to a request from the business community, Borough Council used its April 26 work session to debate the merits of amending an ordinance that prevents alcohol consumption at restaurants before 11 a.m. on Sundays.
Just before the 2012 season, the borough moved back the hour when food establishments could serve alcoholic drinks from noon to 11 a.m.
Businesses cited the increased popularity of Sunday brunch and asked for another rollback.
Business Administrator Scott Wahl explained that Stone Harbor allows the sale of alcohol at both package stores and food outlets to begin at 9 a.m., giving business there the first claim on tourists and residents seeking to imbibe a cocktail with brunch before Avalon’s later start time.
In Avalon, retail liquor establishments that do not serve food can begin the Sunday sale of liquor at 10 a.m. Licensed food venues must wait until 11.
Wahl explained that Stone Harbor changed its policy to accommodate residents and visitors when the Acme in Court House opened its in-store liquor outlet.
Avalon businesses would like the opportunity to expand their offerings through the use of Sunday brunch for a “wake-up cocktail” or a glass of Prosecco with the service.
Wahl initially asked the council to consider moving the start time from 11 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Council member John McCorristin noted that this would still put Avalon establishments behind those of neighboring Stone Harbor.
“If we are being asked to change the time, why not go to 9 a.m. as well?” he said.
The discussion included moving the opening time for retail liquor establishments from the current 10 a.m. to 9 a.m. as well.
As the discussion continued, the examples used were the Mimosa and the Bloody Mary.
Interjecting humor into the debate, McCorristin said for the record that the borough would not be limiting sales to only two forms of drinks.
Police Chief William McCormick told the council that he saw no public safety issues in the rollback proposal.
Resident Martha Wright disagreed. Wright expressed concern that the negative impact would occur not in the business district or the hotel zone, but rather along 21st Street which she said is already congested and subject to noise disturbances.
Discussion among council members appeared to show support for the move.
Council President Nancy Hudanich instructed the Clerk’s Office to develop the appropriate amendment to the ordinance for first reading for the council’s May 10 agenda.
If that schedule is kept, the second reading and hearing on the proposal would occur at the council’s May 24 meeting.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.