Local business owners have a vision for the city of Buchanan that includes five-star dining and popular retail chains to create jobs for citizens and generate revenue for the city; however, some of them say those goals are unattainable without expanding the city’s alcohol ordinance to permit the sale of liquor by the drink at authorized businesses in Buchanan. As a result, the city has placed a referendum on Tuesday’s ballot proposing permits for businesses to sell liquor by the drink.

The fate of that referendum depends on citizens’ decisions to approve or deny it when they cast their votes at Buchanan City Hall next week. Buchanan Better Hometown Manager Janie Holder, who oversees planning of the city’s downtown revitalization efforts, says acquisition of a more inclusive alcohol ordinance means a “better economic well being” for the city as it tries to function in a seemingly ever-growing depressed economy.

In her role, she seeks programs and funding to enhance life in the downtown area, which in spite of the poor economy, has seen the sprout of family diners, specialty stores and other small businesses throughout the year. One of her biggest projects is the government-funded Streetscape project, which features landscaping improvements to commercial storefronts as well as sidewalk, lighting and other improvements designed to attract new businesses to the square. However, she says big businesses don’t set up shop in a community based on beautification efforts alone. “The economic well-being of the city of Buchanan depends on bringing in more retail stores, homes and industries. But right now there is a moratorium on sewer taps because we are operating at full capacity, and the city does not currently have the funds to upgrade. Of all the options of increasing tax revenue, serving mixed beverages will at least impact city infrastructure. More patronage of existing businesses will not require additional water and sewer lines, but it will generate additional tax revenue to help fund infrastructure improvements,” she said.

Buchanan Mayor Benjamin Biggers noted that the city’s current ordinance solely permits the sale of beer and wine by the drink at restaurants, while it does not authorize the sale of distilled spirits and liquor at restaurants. Although he says the proposed ordinance broadens the current one in place, it may have stipulations attached pertaining to confining sales to certain locations or areas in the city.

He added that Los Cowboys Mexican Restaurant Owner Alex Melendez is the only restaurant in town that is licensed to operate under the current alcohol license, which permits the sale of beer and wine at his establishment. While Melendez says his business is pretty successful without the sale of liquor and mixed drinks, some customers have arrived at his restaurant and taken their business to nearby cities once they find out they can’t buy a mixed drink with their meal.

“They love the food, but I’ve had people leave out because there’s no liquor by the drink,” he recalled.

Melendez says he has the same restaurant located in Villa Rica, where he sees a difference in sales. He attributes the difference to the allowance of liquor by the drink at restaurants there.

Though opponents of the idea of serving liquor say it could damage the city’s family-friendly reputation, he says he considers his business just as family-friendly because many families patronize his restaurant. He says offering liquor and mixed drinks doesn’t take away from a warm, quality dining experience.

Downtown Buchanan Revitalization Co-Chairman Greg Poteet echoes Melendez’s sentiments. He says the development of greater financial opportunities is being lost due to limited alcohol sales, which he says may even send an inaccurate sign to business owners that says the city is not ready for growth.

“Many restaurants and businesses don’t want to relocate here because we cannot offer what is offered by most other communities. The defeat of this referendum would send a message to these businesses that Buchanan does not want more growth in retail businesses, store chains and restaurants. Families that have chosen to locate in other ares might have settled here if there were more dining and shopping options,” he said.

Regardless of the varying opinions about the referendum, all registered voters in the city of Buchanan will have the opportunity to cast their ballot from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov.3, at Buchanan City Hall.