ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Spencer Hooker told the St. Augustine City Commission that he's frustrated with what he's calling an out of date ordinance in the city. Hooker wants to add beer and wine to his menu at Kookaburra cafe in St. Augustine. The issue is that his business is right next to The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine and a city ordinance says that Hooker can't serve alcohol if his business is within 100 feet of a church.
"What do you think of this ordinance? " asked Channel 4's Scott Johnson.
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"I think it's a bit outdated," said Hooker. "I think it hurts businesses in the downtown area."
Monday night the St. Augustine City commission took its first look at this issue to see if Hooker's, or any other business where they serve more than 50 percent food, can start serving liquor, even if they're right next door to a church.
"It's frustrating and not essential to the nature of business," said Hooker. "But it would be a nice offering. For small, locally owned and operated businesses, anything we can do to add to bottom line would be helpful ," said Hooker.
There is some disagreement among the City Commission about changing the old ordinance.
Vice- Mayor Nancy Sikes Kline was the sole vote against the first reading of this bill saying the 50 percent food service requirement is too hard to enforce. However, Commissioner Don Crichlow wants to hear from churches.
"If anyone has an issue with this please come forward to tell us that you've got an issue with it and I could very well change my mind on it. I haven't heard anything about it, but they may come for the next meeting," said Crichlow.
Monday night was the first reading on the change to the alcohol ordinance. Next it will go to a second reading where they will have a public hearing on the June 24.
The city wants to hear from the public on the issue to see if anyone objects to changing the alcohol ordinance.