Venietia Bingham, owner of V’s Cellar Door, testifies in opposition to a resolution seeking to nearly double the number of licenses for establishments allowed to serve alcohol during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Venietia Bingham, owner of V’s Cellar Door, testifies in opposition to a resolution seeking to nearly double the number of licenses for establishments allowed to serve alcohol during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Proposal to nearly double places in Juneau able to serve alcohol delayed by Assembly until November

Existing establishments worry about impact of seasonal operators; supporters cite new opportunities.

A proposal nearly doubling the number of licenses for establishments in Juneau allowed to serve alcohol was put on hold by the Juneau Assembly on Monday night, following a lengthy debate by existing establishments worried about their threat to their businesses versus supporters arguing it’s an opportunity for new businesses.

Juneau currently has 23 Restaurant or Eating Place Licenses (REPLs) and a resolution considered by the Assembly would petition the Alaska State Alcoholic Beverage Control Board for up to 20 more. Assembly members voted 5-3 to stall the measure until November to allow more time for evaluation of the impacts and public input, possible further changes in state law for REPLs during the legislative session, and to reconsider the matter after the October municipal election.

Most of the testimony by residents Monday was by owners and/or managers of establishments serving alcohol who, in addition to worrying about the impacts on their business, questioned if there was a need for additional REPLs since several current ones are available.

“I do know that this doesn’t have to be done immediately because we are able to apply again and every other year,” said Venietia Bingham, owner of V’s Cellar Door, referring to the city’s ability to seek new licenses. “So I think it needs more consideration of why are you asking for this and why right now because I think there is some financial damage that can be done to the current owners.”

Leeann Thomas, owner of the Triangle Club Bar, said she’s concerned new seasonal businesses serving alcohol will cause problems by luring away existing full-time employees by offering temporarily higher wages. Among her other concerns is seasonal locations such as food carts don’t have bathrooms, resulting in an impact from visitors who frequently come into her establishment for that sole purpose.

“If you want to hurt year-round businesses in this town this is the perfect way to do it,” she said.

Supporting the resolution was Brandon Howard, founder of Amalga Distillery, who said it will offer an opportunity to other people looking to start establishments who cannot afford the inflated prices it costs to purchase an existing license being offered for sale.

“Yes there are six or seven licenses for purchase, but as we know $50,000 to $70,000 is a lot of money,” he said. “And that is money that doesn’t go into payroll or employees. That is money that doesn’t go into renovations or spaces around town that we see that need a lot of love.”

The biennial seasonal restaurant or eating place tourism license fee from the state is $1,250.

Howard said he understands existing businesses are concerned about their investments, but “if you’re a good place and you’re open I don’t think your REPL is the thing that is to carry you through. Yes it is an asset that you may be banking on and that’s a challenge, but competition is always great for businesses.”

Recent changes in state law allow the Assembly to petition the state for additional REPLs, and allow them to be issued to seasonal businesses for periods of six months every year rather than the former year-round requirement.

“Wasilla and Valdez recently successfully petitioned for additional REPLs, 20 and 10, respectively,” according to a memo presented to the Assembly by City Manager Katie Koester and Assistant Municipal Attorney Sherri Layne. The memo also notes “the new formula takes into account resident and visitor population — which means from a strictly mathematical perspective Juneau could have over 1000 REPLs.”

The motion to delay the issue until November was made by Assembly member Greg Smith, who said he also favors reducing the number of new licenses the city would seek to five.

Assembly member Wáahlaal Gíidaak Barbara Blake objected, stating that among other factors she doesn’t want to wait until after the local election when an unknown person might be in her seat making the decision.

“I am not a big fan of punting things down the road,” she said. “I believe in hitting things head-on. If we’re going to talk about it then let’s talk about it and make a decision.”

Blake said she also supported the addition of 20 licenses since that number “was intended to create additional opportunities for those who have means to be able to jump into the market.”

Other members, including Mayor Beth Weldon, said they favored the delay based on the numerous issues raised during the evening. Assembly member Wade Bryson said some of the information provided during earlier hearings wasn’t accurate, so ensuring decisions are made based on complete information is important, and “I would say that we want to be cautious about harming existing people that own these.”

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.

More in News

Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for the week of Sept. 7

Here’s what to expect this week.

Workers at the Alaska Division of Elections’ State Review Board consider ballots on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, at the division’s headquarters in Juneau. At background is the Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
After Alaska’s primary election, here’s how the state’s legislative races are shaping up

Senate’s bipartisan coalition appears likely to continue, but control of the state House is a tossup.

Nutaaq Doreen Simmonds (left) and Xáalnook Erin Tripp star in the play “Cold Case,” focusing on issues involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, which is now performing at Perseverance Theatre. (Akiko Nishijima Rotch / Perseverance Theatre)
Perseverance’s ‘Cold Case’ tops NYT’s list of ‘15 Shows to See on Stages Around the U.S. This Fall’

Award-winning play about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons showing in Juneau until Sept. 22.

Police and other emergency officials treat Steven Kissack after he was fatally shot on Front Street on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
UPDATE: Bodycam footage of Steven Kissack shooting, results of state investigation scheduled for release Tuesday

Videos, originally scheduled for Friday release, delayed until JPD gets state report, police chief says.

Workers construct a greenhouse behind the Edward K. Thomas building during the summer of 2021. The greenhouse is part of a food sovereignty project by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, which this week received a $15 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection agency to establish or expand composting operations in five Southast Alaska communities including Juneau. (Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska photo)
Tlingit and Haida gets $15M EPA grant for composting operations in five Southeast Alaska communities

Funds will establish or expand programs in Juneau, Wrangell, Hoonah, Petersburg and Yakutat.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
State Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, speaks during a rally on behalf of Alaska residents with disabilities at the Alaska State Capitol on March 1, 2023.
Bills by Juneau legislator adding official Indigenous state languages, upgrading dock safety become law

Safety bill by Rep. Story also contains provision by Sen. Kiehl expanding disaster aid eligibility.

Nutaaq Doreen Simmonds (foreground) and Xáalnook Erin Tripp star in the play “Cold Case,” focusing on a story involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, which is scheduled to make its stage debut Friday at Perseverance Theatre. (Akiko Nishijima Rotch / Perseverance Theatre)
Play revealing unseen struggles of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons debuts at Perseverance Theatre

“Cold Case” features story of rural Iñupiaq woman trying to recover aunt’s body from Anchorage.

James Montiver holds Cassie, and William Montiver holds Alani behind them, members of the Ketchikan Fire Department that helped rescue the dogs on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)
Dogs saved after seven days in Ketchikan landslide

Ketchikan Fire Department firefighters with heroic efforts Sunday brought joy and some… Continue reading

Most Read