By JILL MCNEAL
6 News Anchor/Reporter
PIGEON FORGE (WATE) - Voters in Pigeon Forge approved a change allowing sales of liquor by the drink.
The "for" votes won 1232 to 1132, or 52% to 48%.
On Wednesday, city
officials fielded several calls about how the process from ballot to bar will
actually work. They said they aren't exactly sure yet.
At
Bennett's on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, patrons can enjoy a beer with their barbeque, but no hard alcohol.
"We have a lot of people come in here
and ask for liquor. We've had some people leave because we don't have liquor,"
said Assistant Manager Eric Lovin.
Now that liquor is legal, Bennett's will be applying for a license.
"I've kind of
felt like it would be a good thing for businesses to help with our revenue," Lovin said.
Assistant City Manager Eric Brackins said they're
still trying to figure out how to make that happen.
"It's new
for us so we're still learning exactly what we need to do," he
said.
He said the first step for interested businesses is to
get an application from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
There could be dozens.
Kirk Graham
and his wife, tourists from South Carolina, were surprised they couldn't get a
mixed drink with their meal. They're looking forward to more options on their
next visit.
"It would be more convenient," Graham
said.
Brackins said some businesses could start serving liquor
in the next 30 to 60 days.
"We have a lot of people come in here and ask for liquor. We've had some people leave because we don't have liquor," said Assistant Manager Eric Lovin.
Kirk Graham and his wife, tourists from South Carolina, were surprised they couldn't get a mixed drink with their meal.
