Alcohol Ordinance Passes Unanimously

At Monday’s meeting the Mauldin City Council unanimously passed an ordinance banning the sale of alcoholic beverages after 2 a.m. The ordinance makes official what until recently had been common practice among bar owners in Mauldin.

But the move was brought about by Hailee’s Sports Bar and Grill decision to stay open until 5 a.m. The bar, located at 1178 Woodruff Road in the Woodruff Retail Center, is owned by Sonny Ninan. According to Ninan’s statement to the council on Monday, the decision to keep later hours is meant to accommodate the many service industry employees that frequent his establishment. “Wal-Mart and McDonald’s have been open for 24 hours some time and we need to do the same,” Ninan said.

Hailee’s drew unwanted attention last April when a shooting took place in its parking lot that led to attempted murder charges being filed against two Anderson men. Since then, Ninan said, he feels he has been unfairly targeted by the city.

Ninan said that if the ordinance is passed he will probably have to lay off some of his staff.

Speaking in support of the ordinance was James Wagner, who owns The Zone at 787 E Butler Road. Wagner said, ”Any drinking after 2 a.m. is excessive.” Wagner’s sentiments were echoed by The Zone’s manager, Baxter Tisdale.

Mauldin Mayor Don Godbey noted that several nearby towns have a 2 a.m. curfew for the serving of alcohol and others have an even earlier deadline of midnight. Godbey said that he hopes that Hinan will work with the city to find a solution amenable to both of them, “It is important to work within a healthy community environment with potential for growth.”

The ordinance will get a second reading at the meeting on July 18. If it is approved it will immediately be enforced. Business owners violating the ordinance will be assessed a fine of $500. An individual seeking to purchase alcohol after 2 a.m. would not be charged.

Several Hailee’s employees accompanied Ninan to the meeting, but none of them addressed the council.