Restaurants in Carbondale that serve alcohol can now stay open longer.
The city council approved an ordinance change that will allow restaurants with a class A1 or A2 liquor license to stay open past the normal 2:00 am deadline as long as all they serve is food. The change was suggested as a way to provide people leaving bars a place to go and eat. City Councilwoman Jessica Bradshaw says the change could lead to increased business.
"I think in addition to an expanded tax base, it would also provide more jobs if restaurants are open longer. I don't see any real concerns other than enforcement... and really, we don't know how many restaurants are going to go for this... there may only be a few."
Under the change restaurants staying open past 2-am will be required to provide only food service to patrons and would incur the added risk of a liquor violation should the normal prohibited alcohol sales hours be violated. The change would also require restaurants to prominently post a sign stating the hours that alcohol can be served.
Carbondale Mayor Joel Fritzler supports the change. He says it does not mean that restaurants with a liquor license have to stay open longer; it just gives them that opportunity.
