Sipping an adult beverage at a restaurant outside the Franklin city limits might be on the menu one day.
County Commissioner Barry Breeden asked that the topic be added to the July 8 Board of Commissioners agenda and several residents spoke in favor of it during the public comment session.
Breedeen said in the 1990s there was more business along Georgia Road outside of town. “There was a lot of things happening. As the years have gone on, everything’s kind of falling apart and falling down.”
He said allowing alcohol sales would help bring in more tax revenue and possibly new businesses. “We’ve talked on the EDC about how to bring in new businesses and things like that. I think this is probably one of the first steps to do such a thing.”
Breeden and Commissioner John Shearl serve as the commissioners’ liaisons to the Economic Development Commission. Shearl said he often hears people saying we don’t have big restaurants, hotels, a bowling alley and other businesses that other communities have.
“Four reasons that come to mind right off the bat. The county don’t have water and sewer, affordable housing, lack of labor and alcohol sales in the county. It is extremely hard for a restaurant business to survive out in the county without alcohol sales.”
Shearl asked if those opposed to alcohol sales don’t go into a business because they sell alcohol. “Just because I don’t drink doesn’t mean that I will not shop in a place that serves alcohol. I never thought that I would see the day that Cracker Barrel would serve alcohol. However, their corporate recognized that to stay afloat, they would need to add the sales of alcohol to their menu. I don’t know if it helped them or hurt them. I haven’t heard, but they did it, and I still love to eat at Cracker Barrel. Honestly, if you want positive growth in this county, that’s what it’s going to take.”
Shearl said he supported the issue going to a referendum in the 2026 election. “Let the people decide,” he said.
Commissioner Danny Antoine is also in favor of it going on the ballot and that it is an opportunity to bring in new businesses. “I think it’s unfair to our citizens here that we’re not providing these things for our citizens. They’re going to all these other counties and paying into all of their taxes, and we get absolutely nothing for it.”
Matt Jackson, a real estate agent, spoke in favor of allowing alcohol sales as a way to increase business and growth.
“Obviously there’s tax benefits to having stretches like Georgia Road opening up to more business. I think we would see more business coming in from people who might stop at Clayton and Rabun who aren’t coming all the way up. We see Clayton and Rabun growing exponentially. For some reason, we’re not seeing as big of growth that they are having.”
He said there is a cycle of businesses opening and closing and investors are either buying within the Franklin city limits or in Clayton.
“I think we are missing a lot of opportunity,” he said. “I’m sure there’s different opinions on it. But, I think that as far as tax revenue for growth, I think it would probably be the wise option.”
Two Scaly Mountain business owners supported the effort as well. Laura Puckett, owner of Fire Mountain Resort, says they have guests coming in who can’t get a glass of wine and it affects other restaurant owners as well. “It’s really sad to see them struggling, when you go to a Mexican restaurant and you can’t even order a margarita.”
She said the increased tax revenue could help support worthwhile projects in the county.
“We’re just having a struggle with the antiquated law of not having the ability to offer our guests a glass of wine with dinner because that’s what they want,” said Stacy Rivers, owner and manager of Magliocca’s Ristorante in Scaly Mountain. “We’re an upscale Italian restaurant, and people don’t even understand why they can’t.” She said being able to sell drinks would help their 32-seat restaurant be more successful.
The commissioners asked attorney Eric Ridenour to bring to the August meeting resolutions with options for them to consider – whether it would be beer and wine sales only (on or off premises), or liquor sales also, and if the county would need to establish an ABC store if liquor drinks are allowed.
The next Board of Commissioners meeting will be Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. in the board room on the third floor of the Courthouse.