On Tuesday, the Rome Alcohol Control Commission will discuss two new rules about selling food and drinks.
First Rule:
This rule would stop special exceptions to the rule that at least 50% of sales must come from food. However, places that already have these exceptions will be allowed to keep them.
Second Rule:
Food trucks will still be allowed to help meet the 50% food sales requirement, but only if there is already a kitchen at the main location.
The proposed rules state that drinks should only be sold at real restaurants, hotels, and private clubs, and not at places that are just bars or pretend to be something they are not.
The Commission will meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at City Hall, located at 601 Broad St. Anyone can attend these meetings. The Commission makes recommendations, which then go to the Rome City Commission for final decisions.
Places that sell drinks must make at least half of their money from food sales. In recent years, some exceptions have been made, but Commission members want clearer rules, or they might stop giving exceptions altogether.
The City Commission recently rejected a plan to create a special category for “small bars” that wouldn’t need to follow the 50% rule. They also said no to getting rid of all exceptions.
According to the new rule being discussed, the current exceptions will stay in place and can be passed on to new owners or if the business moves to a different location.
Another rule on the agenda would allow drinks to be sold at the new library amphitheater, similar to other public places like the Forum.
Finally, the Commission will also look at extending the permits for selling beer, wine, and liquor at Mega Beverage Rome, which is being built at the old Fazoli’s site on Hicks Drive. This extension would last for another six months.
