Come Thursday night it should be official, at least in terms of being on the Nov. 4 ballot. The Fayetteville City Council Sept. 4 is expected to call for a referendum to place the Sunday sale of alcohol by the drink squarely in the hands of voters.

The initiative requested by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was received favorably at the council’s July 17 meeting, with the exception of a “no” vote by Councilman Walt White.

DDA spokesperson Nancy Price in a July 10 letter to the council said one of the primary goals of Main Street Tourism Association and DDA is economic development.

“Currently, both boards are actively pursuing various ways to stimulate activity and revitalize our historic downtown,” Price said. “Both boards agree that the square would benefit substantially from the presence of a quality restaurant.

“After discussion with several potential prospects, it has become increasingly apparent that one concern for relocation or start-up is the ability to maximize their potential revenue,” Price said.

“Sunday alcohol sales could allow restaurants to provide full-service operations throughout the week and provide customers the opportunity to patronize a Fayetteville restaurant instead of another restaurant outside of our community or county,” Price said.

Price added that Sunday sales could also attract quality restaurants outside the immediate downtown area, particularly in vacant restaurant buildings. Such a move could help the city’s goal of in-fill development and re-development, she said.

“I get the sense that the November election will have a high turnout and will be a good opportunity to get the feelings of the community,” Mayor Ken Steele said at the July 17 meeting.

If approved by voters, Sunday alcohol sales would be permitted from 12:30 p.m. until midnight in any licensed establishment that derives at least 75 percent of its gross annual sales from the sale of prepared foods.

Fayetteville already permits sales of alcohol by the drink in restaurants on the other six days of the week. In addition, Fayetteville allows the sale of beer and wine at supermarkets and convenience stores.

However, the city has no liquor package stores. The only place in all of Fayette County that you can buy liquor by the bottle is in Peachtree City.

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