Friday, Mar. 18, 2005

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Frozen wine drink on tap at the Fred

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Patrons of The Fred will have another beverage selection this year, but not the one ultimately desired by city tourism officials.

Deli Delicious will offer a frozen drink with a wine base, declining to offer frozen liquor-based drinks such as daiquiris and margaritas, which Tourism Association Executive Director Linda McCarthy had sought. The sticking point for the company was the high cost of applying for a liquor license, McCarthy noted.

The idea behind having frozen drinks was being able to provide a beverage that patrons couldn’t easily bring from home. Amphitheater patrons are traditionally allowed to bring their own beverages and food from home, with certain exceptions.

The association approved a new contract with Deli Delicious at its regular meeting Wednesday night.

The contract stipulates that the frozen drink machines will be rented by the association, which in turn will realize 80 percent of the profits from the sales of that particular drink. The association will also get 10 percent of the profits from food sales, the same as last year, and another 15 percent of the beer and wine sales, up from 10 percent last year, McCarthy said.

The new contract also requires Deli Delicious to pay the association quicker than it has in the past after each concert weekend, McCarthy said. Part of this is due to the technology of the new register equipment the association bought and installed at the amphitheater, she added.

The projected revenue for the association from the contract is expected to be around $3,000, McCarthy said.