Suwanee May Update Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance

Have you ever enjoyed a bottle of wine with dinner in Suwanee, and want to finish it at home? You may be able to soon.

City officials have proposed changing several aspects of the alcoholic beverage ordinance, and such an amendment is part of the proposed change. The full amended ordinance is on the agenda for the City Council meeting Tuesday (6:30 p.m.).

If passed, the law would allow diners to seal a bottle of wine that was purchased with dinner, bag it up, and take it home -- yes, in a vehicle. However, the wine would have to remain sealed and bagged -- with the receipt from dinner -- and kept in the rear portion of the vehicle on the trip home.

In updating the ordinance, officials also are including a so-called "amenity" permit. Businesses such as hair and nail salons could offer complimentary tastes of alcohol to customers, provided that the samplings are not a core part of their business. Also, art studios such as Masterpiece Mixers could allow patrons to bring in their own alcoholic beverages.

At a recent City Council workshop, City Manager Marty Allen noted that the "amenity" provision is more common at high-end salons where "giving it away is part of the experience."

Also, a restaurant would have to generate 40 percent of its business from food sales, down from 50 percent, to qualify for a license.

More info about the council meeting can be found on the city website.

-- What do you think of the new alcoholic beverage license? Do you favor the changes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.