We urge Denton voters to join us in supporting the Nov. 4 ballot proposition on liquor sales that would bring Denton into modern times. It would do two things: Bars and restaurants could stop the private-club charade that allows them to sell mixed drinks and, secondly, liquor stores could come into Denton and become part of the local economy.
In our view, current restrictions unfairly handicap local business owners and discourage potential customers from patronizing Denton’s shopping options and dining and entertainment venues.
More than a dozen local business owners and other volunteers collected about 7,000 signatures petitioning to have the proposition placed on the ballot.
Business owners who helped organize the petition drive estimated that Denton loses about $700,000 in sales tax revenue annually to other cities that allow liquor sales. Nearby locations including Corral City, Cross Roads, Lake Dallas, Lewisville and Little Elm draw customers who might otherwise choose to shop in Denton.
Using census data, a political consulting group that helped with the petition drive estimated that Denton could see another $33 million in local spending, with $685,000 in local sales tax revenue, if voters approve the new local option.
We believe those estimates could be close to the mark, and as the area continues to grow, we have no doubt that the negative economic impact resulting from Denton’s current alcohol sales restrictions will continue to grow more severe.
While some may consider the private-club requirement to be little more than an inconvenience, a formality that allows one to share an alcoholic beverage with friends and family, others believe that it discourages sales of all types, and we agree.
Some customers may bypass Denton by choosing to shop and dine in areas where club memberships are not required. It’s easy to find places to spend your money — Denton is now surrounded by dining, shopping and entertainment options.
We should be doing all we can to encourage area residents to spend their money in Denton, not discouraging sales by continuing to operate under archaic rules and regulations.
We have never fully understood the reasoning behind the private club requirement for mixed drinks, especially when patrons are typically able to purchase beer and wine at Denton stores without such restrictions. Why allow one without the other?
Municipalities that allow the legal sale of all alcoholic beverages are much more common in the area today than in decades past when Denton and its neighbors were less populated and more isolated.
We believe it makes sound financial sense to allow such businesses inside the city limits so that their sales will benefit the local economy instead of boosting a neighbor’s sales tax revenue.
Some adjustments to city ordinances will be required if voters give their approval to this measure on Nov. 4. City Council members agreed recently that when they canvass the election results, the city needs to be ready to amend its development code so that local rules allowed by state law can be in place.
Such considerations should help avoid any potential problems, and we encourage city leaders to explore all available options to make sure that certain areas of the city remain protected. Liquor stores, for example, shouldn’t be located across the street from a high school.
A generation ago, Baptists and other “dry” forces would have sprung up to oppose this proposition. This time, we have seen no organized opposition to the ballot proposal.
We believe that the time has come for Denton to allow the legal sale of all alcoholic beverages. With careful implementation, this measure has the potential to bring major economic benefits to our city.
