Butler County voters to contemplate food-service requirement with liquor licenses

AUGUSTA, Kan. (KWCH) – Butler County enterprise house owners are intently watching a problem that will likely be offered in a query on the Nov. 8 general-election poll. Butler County voters will resolve whether or not companies with liquor licenses needs to be required to make 30% of their gross sales from meals. A “sure” vote would remove this requirement whereas a “no” vote means nothing will change

“For companies, should you’re going to have a liquor license, as a restaurant, you must hit the minimal of 30% meals gross sales. For some individuals like myself, it’s not an issue. For others, it’s a giant battle, mentioned Shane Scott, proprietor of Sugar Shane’s Café, in Augusta. “(For) a small enterprise, it may be a extremely massive battle.”

Scott mentioned if the “no” vote passes in November, it might have a serious affect on companies all through Butler County, particularly those who sale alcohol and have restricted menus for meals. Golf programs are an instance of companies that might profit from the 30% meals requirement being lifted.

Scott expressed the priority that if a “no” vote passes in November and Butler County golf programs lose their liquor licenses with an incapacity to show 30% of foods and drinks gross sales on meals, golfers will take their sport throughout the county line.

“To hit that 30% minimal, they should promote plenty of scorching canines and chips, which is nearly unimaginable, simply to allow them to promote a beer to somebody,” Scott mentioned. “Passing this regulation will enable us to be on a degree taking part in discipline with Sedgwick County. Butler County is rising, and we must be on the identical discipline as Sedgwick County.”

Scott additionally mentioned eating places lacking out on alcohol gross sales can be lacking out on an enormous revenue. He has a imaginative and prescient to proceed to develop the Augusta group with native companies and maintain it rising.

“Eighty % of our prospects come from exterior of Augusta. They drive from Wichita. We’re really a vacation spot however we wish to develop our economic system right here. We wish to develop our city,” Scott mentioned. “I’m making an attempt to construct a district down right here and invite breweries and totally different golf equipment and totally different eating places to come back to the district of Augusta. And if [the question on the Nov. 8 ballot] passes, this enables breweries to do what they do finest, make beer and never have to fret about meals.”

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