Council Member Mike McClemans pushing the fee increase
10/26/11
by Perry Miller
The Brookings City Council changes the price for a standard liquor operating agreement to $100,000, the same fee charged for the new restaurant-only licenses. It's designed as a one-time fee.
Council Member Mike McClemans says the prices should be the same. He also says there hasn't been this much discussion with people on the street since Lowe's came to town. McClemans says people want to know why there are two different prices for licenses.
Mayor Tim Reed was opposed to the move. He says it does not establish what happens with existing operating agreements. Reed says doing this will cause even more problems, charging people different amounts.
Garner Hanson of Main Street Pub says the process seems to favor franchises. He says one of the few that could afford the $100,000 price tag is Buffalo Wild Wings, but for "some of the little guys... you bring your dreams and could get crushed if you're not a franchise."
Buffalo Wild Wings paid $25,000 for their license.
The Council vote was 4-2 to raise the fee. Reed and Council Member John Kubal voted against it.
Two licenses, currently held by the Shamrock and the Brownstone, will be available in a year. The Council has yet to decide what they'll charge for them.
The Council also voted to extend BraVo's license for one year for $2,500. It was the only standard license available.
E-Mail
Print