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quote:
Originally posted by nwbama:
If the city gives problems and the person has met all requirements....they can always carry it to Montgomery and get a ruling.


One of the requirements to get a liquor license is too get the approval from the local authorities, so apparently, if someone doesn't get that, they haven't met all of the requirements.
There may or may not be an appeal process ( I've never heard of it), but even if there is, does anyone think the ABC board in Montgomery is going to overrule the local council and grant a license to someone the city council said no too.

Any problems someone has with local authority is going too have too be dealt with locally. "The buck stops here", there won't be any "going over someone's head" or "appeals too a higher authority".

I don't have a horse in this race since I live in Sheffield, but I will assure you this, for whatever reasons the city council has for granting or refusing someone a liquor license, they will have the final say.
"We've said many times that Florence needs to do more to develop a college-town, young-professionals atmosphere, including sidewalk cafes, a real nightlife and venues for live music that would emphasize its musical heritage."

It was being said 10 years ago and will be said 10 years from now. Instead of sitting and waiting for a wider variety of entertainment to be available 15-30 minutes away, drive an hour or so, and spend your money somewhere where it is appreciated. Sure, it's more expensive to do the road trip, so go once a month instead of wishing every weekend there was something more exciting than Books a Million or Wal Mart.
How about the Rainbow and Pony Lounge?

Take a poll of the 20 somethings, college students, and especially the people bumming around BAM or Wal Mart on a weekend night. Ask them if they'd rather have a new art gallery to go to or a bar/grill/lounge/music venue.

It's a no brainer, though art galleries are nice, remember..Florence is a small town with a college and a primarily blue collar work force.

What the people want=demand=potential to make revenue. You'd have to be insane to, right now, open up a non-alcoholic art gallery in east Florence. It would go over like a dead cat wrapped as a birthday present.
I believe the "art" association with the "entertainment district" is a mechanism to stall any progress on moving forward with tavern, pubs, bars, lounges, whatever you want to call them. Same as this food alcohol sales ratio gimmick. I never heard any "art" mentioned when there were discussions to encourage "entertainment" venues when the RTJ project started. Nor was "art" mentioned when trying to encourage "entertainment" venues for college age individuals.

What was discussed early on I remember was providing venues and establishments that people staying at the Marriott and other hotels would be attracted to, that they were used to where they came from, more enlightened areas, along with something for the younger to enjoy.

My thought is this "art" gimmick is something the temperance fanatics and city officials can divert the citizens attention to away from actually developing an "entertainment" district.
FWIW, I think we need to be careful not to take the word "art" too literally. In this instance, I believe in means "performing arts". In other words, live music or maybe even live theater. I'm not saying these things will ever really develop there, but I think that is what was desired when the plan first developed.

Personally I doubt anything will develop in the area, not only because of reluctance by the council but also just because of the location. An area like they want really needs a significant amount of traffic to be successful - not just cars, but also foot traffic. East Florence is out of the way for most people in the Shoals, and plus, it already has a "seedy" reputation (fair or not). Downtown would be such a better location it's not funny; unfortunately, the council (and most citizens) would rather see abandoned storefronts than entertainment venues.
quote:
Originally posted by joeycuda:
How about the Rainbow and Pony Lounge?

Take a poll of the 20 somethings, college students, and especially the people bumming around BAM or Wal Mart on a weekend night. Ask them if they'd rather have a new art gallery to go to or a bar/grill/lounge/music venue.

It's a no brainer, though art galleries are nice, remember..Florence is a small town with a college and a primarily blue collar work force.

What the people want=demand=potential to make revenue. You'd have to be insane to, right now, open up a non-alcoholic art gallery in east Florence. It would go over like a dead cat wrapped as a birthday present.


Joey, you mention blue collar individuals. While I don't drink, I have no problem with someone sitting next to me in a nice restaurant consuming potables. That being said....

The TD is obviously all for an increased "entertanment" area, yet when Skynard was here some time ago, they printed a pic of concert goers in the front row holding up beer bottles and generally "acting the fool." I'm sure there are many individuals who would like to attend concerts (as in paying actual cash money to attend), but who would never wish to be subjected to such behavior from others in attendance. Perhaps the blue collar element as you call it is what is keeping the council from proceeding.
quote:
FWIW, I think we need to be careful not to take the word "art" too literally. In this instance, I believe in means "performing arts".

Personally I doubt anything will develop in the area, not only because of reluctance by the council but also just because of the location.


Smoothcat this "art" discussion was the center of those opposed to establishments that served alcohol during the last discussion when this was a hot issue. Most pointed out that a larger percentage of business should be art galleries and arts and crafts in this east florence area. The area to begin with isn't big enough for too varied of a business spectrum.

You're right about the location also, that was always one of my complaints and reason I thought this would ultimately fail, all the core patrons (college students) are located in the north Florence and other areas away from East Florence. I believe the thought was in case a pub or tavern accidently did get approval, you could hem up all the "drunks" (their thinking) in a small area in East Florence, the worst section of town. That way the police could have them all concentrated in a small area.

This is a mistaken concept and an affront to the free market system. The alcohol laws in this city are archaic and not business friendly. The solution would be to allow the opportunity for business to develop where it naturally would and not try to force it into the worse place it could be and then entangle it in red tape.
quote:
Originally posted by EvilGenius:
quote:
FWIW, I think we need to be careful not to take the word "art" too literally. In this instance, I believe in means "performing arts".

Personally I doubt anything will develop in the area, not only because of reluctance by the council but also just because of the location.


Smoothcat this "art" discussion was the center of those opposed to establishments that served alcohol during the last discussion when this was a hot issue. Most pointed out that a larger percentage of business should be art galleries and arts and crafts in this east florence area. The area to begin with isn't big enough for too varied of a business spectrum.

You're right about the location also, that was always one of my complaints and reason I thought this would ultimately fail, all the core patrons (college students) are located in the north Florence and other areas away from East Florence. I believe the thought was in case a pub or tavern accidently did get approval, you could hem up all the "drunks" (their thinking) in a small area in East Florence, the worst section of town. That way the police could have them all concentrated in a small area.

This is a mistaken concept and an affront to the free market system. The alcohol laws in this city are archaic and not business friendly. The solution would be to allow the opportunity for business to develop where it naturally would and not try to force it into the worse place it could be and then entangle it in red tape.


You are making WAY too much sense. If the council read your post their collective heads might explode.
Nothing progressive or (God forbid) cutting edge is ever going to happen with this so-called Entertainment District. Florence's officials suffer from the same affliction that all Shoals area officials suffer from - an acute case of cranial rectitis. They simply can't or won't remove their collective heads from their well-cushioned a-s-ses long enough to look around and see the sad state the Shoals area is in, has been in, and will continue to be in, as long as it remains a "rudderless ship".

The truly sad part is the citizens of the Shoals seem incapable of conducting a thorough housecleaning to remove all the bloodsucking pests so they can start over cleanly and elect individuals from OUTSIDE that incestuous little crowd that has ruled and reigned for so very long.
You just don't get it do you Beemer? We don't want anyone coming in here with new ideas or progress. That would be a sin. You see, the leaders go to church with the people who elect them. That makes them"good leaders" Now if someone started up a new business that people actually enjoyed, then that too would be a sin. They want this to be a retirement community. Nothing else. This way we keep all the sinful lotteries in Tenn, Georgis and Florida. And we keep that sinful casino business in Miss.
quote:
Originally posted by paw-paw:
You just don't get it do you Beemer? We don't want anyone coming in here with new ideas or progress. That would be a sin. You see, the leaders go to church with the people who elect them. That makes them"good leaders" Now if someone started up a new business that people actually enjoyed, then that too would be a sin. They want this to be a retirement community. Nothing else. This way we keep all the sinful lotteries in Tenn, Georgis and Florida. And we keep that sinful casino business in Miss.


Now, paw-paw, I absolutely DO get it since I was born and raised there. As they say, I've been there, done that, and got the t-shirt to prove it.

I have to say, it must be a very selective retirement community these "good leaders" have planned because some of the most party-hardy people I know are 55+. Retirees are the ones with the money and the time to REALLY enjoy themselves and not have to worry about waking up early for work with a hangover. Big Grin I'm a little more than 10 years away from that golden time of my life and I can tell you I won't be living in the Shoals area or any place like it. I don't want anyone or anything repressing me or condemning me for how I see fit to celebrate my retirement. I don't think the Shoals will ever manage to adopt the "live and let live" attitude it needs to attract the kind of people who can keep it alive and financially viable through the 21st century.
We always say that we want to develop a college town with a nightlife and venues. But how much of the area is "we"? I think a lot of citizens and council members say that they want to attract the younger crowd but in actuality they are just saying this to quiet the wants and needs of citizens/students/young adults. I guess they think that by just mentioning and so-called planning an art and entertainment district will fulfill those wishes. If they want the city to thrive in future years, they really need to be more concerned in attracting young people and families to this area and provide some entertainment to bring even more revenue to the city. I doubt an art gallery will fulfill the nightlife needs. I lived near this area three years ago and it definatley needs some work. Parking, new buildings and landscape would really help the appearance. If the council is really sticking to the plans, why hasn't anything been started yet?
The sale of alchohol is not, in itself, a bad thing. The issue is how it is managed. Well run, responsible establishments, and even handed oversight by the authorities would ensure that an "entertainment area" would deliver just that; entertainment. Good, cheap, public transport to ensure that people get home safely is also required. It seems that the council is severely lacking in vision and fortitude on this issue.
quote:
Originally posted by Macey08:
I am referring to the young people they are trying to attract and keep in the area. College students, young adults, etc. Whatever age group "you" would classify that as. I would say between 19-35. I assume you would consider that young people.



Thanks,

But I would break it down into two different groups:
age 16 through age 20
age 21 through age 38

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