Carbondale OKs serving alcohol on sidewalks
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CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - You can now enjoy a beer, glass of wine or a shot of your favorite liquor along Carbondale sidewalks.
On Tuesday, city council approved changes allowing restaurants with liquor licenses to serve alcohol on public sidewalks near their property.
The changes came after input from the city's Downtown Advisory Committee that suggested the council do more to promote outdoor dining, Carbondale's Interim City Manager Gary Williams said.
Williams said the changes could help revitalize the atmosphere of downtown Carbondale dining.
Business owner and former city councilman, Lance Jack, said the new move is a step in the right direction.
“I think more than anything it helps change the attitude. Not Just of this restaurant but of everything downtown," Jack said.
Jack owns the downtown restaurant Fat Patties. He said Carbondale could do more to revise the liquor code promote businesses downtown.
In order to qualify, a business must have a Class A Liquor license and more than half its sales must come from non-alcoholic menu items.
Jack suggest the city lower percentage requirement of non-alcoholic sales. He said that could invite more upscale cafes to the area.
Businesses will need to request a sidewalk encroachment permit and pay a $100 fee before being eligible for the new changes.
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