The Rome Alcohol Control Commission voted this week to recommend expanding the city’s downtown public alcohol consumption district to seven days a week after hearing there have been no significant issues since the program began.
The recommendation, which now goes to the Rome City Commission for consideration, would allow alcoholic beverages purchased from participating downtown establishments to be consumed in the designated district daily from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. The proposal would also expand the district to include the Hampton Inn, Days Inn and a connection to the Chuck Sennett III Memorial Amphitheater near the Floyd County Library.
Downtown Development Authority Director Suzanne Roberts told the commission the city has allowed public alcohol consumption on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays since 2021 following a successful trial period. She said the expansion is supported by all downtown establishments holding pouring licenses and has generated positive economic benefits without creating public safety concerns.
Commission members discussed maintaining a balance between downtown businesses and the growing residential population, with Commissioner Craig Hixon encouraging city officials to seek input from downtown residents. The commission unanimously approved forwarding the recommendation to the Rome City Commission, which is expected to consider the ordinance on first reading June 22.
In other business, the commission tabled a request from new 7 Hill Food Mart owner Peermohammed Kamdar for a beer and wine package license at 1024 N. Broad St. Members asked Kamdar to return to the July meeting with his local registered agent and provide more detailed information about employee training and store operations before a decision is made.
The commission also received applications from First Watch on Turner McCall Boulevard and Juice Mart LLC on North Broad Street, but no representatives from either business attended the meeting, so no action was taken.
