The Temple Committee for Economic Growth on Tuesday launched a campaign to allow take-out liquor sales from package stores and remove the requirement that some establishments selling alcoholic beverages must operate as private clubs.
Bell County elections clerk Jana Henderson on Tuesday said the group followed necessary requirements to circulate a petition that could put the matter before voters in November.
Henderson said the committee met the required minimum 10 signatures from registered voters on the application, including Temple city attorney Jonathan Graham, Temple Economic Development Corp. Director of business development Jonathan Scott and Temple Chamber of Commerce President Ken Higdon.
The committee must now obtain about 4,500 signatures on its petition by July 31. With that accomplished, the issue will be added to the ballot in the November election.
Committee treasurer and longtime Temple attorney Jim Cure said he would disclose more information about the group in a few weeks. A press release said the group “will include local residents, business and community leaders and many local businesses.”
Alcoholic beverages for takeout, other than beer or wine, are only sold in Bell County in Morgan’s Point Resort, Holland and Harker Heights. Temple restaurants and bars that sell alcoholic beverages must operate as a private club if they don’t sell more food than booze.
Cure said a large, recognizable name in high-end retail is interested in opening a store in Temple and changing the local liquor law is necessary to land the company.
“We just see it as an economic development issue,” Cure said, “It’ll keep sales tax revenues here, rather than go out of county. We think that’s a good thing for the area.”
Mayor Bill Jones III agrees.
“It will allow for a particular retailer to come to Temple that wants to bring a very upscale store for gourmet foods and liquors to the community,” Jones said. “That’s the kind of sales tax leakage that we have as a result of not having this type of store in our community.”
At O’Briens Irish Pub in downtown Temple, co-owner Ryan Leshikar said changing the law would eliminate an expensive bureaucratic burden. No matter the age, he must scan IDs for customers drinking alcohol because legally he has to operate as a private club.
If the state catches an establishment not in compliance, it could levy a $2,500 fine for each customer who is not logged in as a club member, Leshikar said. In addition to that headache, bookkeeping costs cut into the bottom line.
“It will be a cost savings in terms of our accounting,” Leshikar said. “It’s a big deal for a small business. We’re less than 3,000 square feet. It will help us and our customers. It will be less hassle for the customer.”
The Temple committee issued a statement Tuesday that supports that sentiment, citing the Texas Restaurant Association that maintaining private club status costs an establishment between $3,000 and $20,000 per year.
Quoting Waco economist Ray Perryman, the committee said the city could gain 264 jobs, see about a $28 million economic benefit and reap $500,000 in local sales tax revenue.
Temple last changed how it buys and consumes liquor in 2002. Following a petition drive, voters overwhelmingly approved mixed drinks sales in restaurants and allowed retail sale of wine.
