Voters OK Sunday alcohol sales in Florence, deny them in Lake City

Votes for Florence’s referendum which asked voters if Sunday alcohol sales should be permitted on-site at local establishments resulted in 6,131 votes in favor of Sunday alcohol sales and 5,434 votes against it at press time Tuesday.

Tim Norwood, chairman of the Florence Hospitality Association, said he is excited about the possibilities brought about by the vote.

“I think that certainly the voice of the people is speaking that they want to have freedom of choice and the chance for economic growth in Florence,” he said. “I think this is going to be the biggest economic impact in Florence for the tourism and hospitality industry that we’ve seen. It will open tremendous opportunities for other national chains to move to Florence.”

But, Norwood said, if the numbers reverse prior to the final tally, he and many other in Florence will be disappointed.

“If it is a no, people have (listened) to a small minority voice that has fabricated statistics and used fear to manipulate the electorate,” he said.

Strengthening Florence Families Chairman Gary Finklea said in a previous interview that many successful chains have come to Florence despite the lack of Sunday sales.

“Look what we’ve attracted so far,” he said, citing Olive Garden as an example. “Look at the waiting lines at these places, even on Sunday.”

Finklea said he thinks the change will be one Florence regrets as time goes on.

“Whether we lose or win, the position we took on this issue was the right one to take for Florence citizens and their families,” he said.

Finklea said at press time that the results were too close for him to think it might go in favor of alcohol sales on Sunday.

“We’re still optimistic despite some of the irregularities at the polls,” he said.

According to a study by a Columbia consultant Sunday alcohol sales in Florence could bring 200 new jobs and $234,000 in direct local road and hospitality tax revenue.

It could also generate economic activity leading to the creation of more than 160 jobs in the Florence area and a multiplied impact of more than 200 new local jobs, said Harry Miley Jr. of Miley, Gallo & Associates in a previous interview.

He also estimated that about $2.3 million in labor income would be generated and spent throughout the Florence area.

The city’s projections of additional hospitality tax and city business license fees, plus a potential $93,000 in Sunday alcohol licenses could equal $261,129 in new revenue.

The referendum applies to on-site liquor sales and off-site beer and wine sales in Lake City, but it only applies to sales of alcoholic drinks for on-premises consumption in the city of Florence, which some members of the community say isn’t needed.

In Lake City, voters took an opposing view from those in Florence, saying no to a referendum that would allow alcohol sales not only within establishments on Sunday, but would also permit Sunday beer and wine sales for off-site consumption.

The residents of Lake City voted against the referendum, with 1,170 voting no and 1,072 voting yes.