Press of Atlantic City-By BRIAN IANIERI Staff Writer, 609-463-6713 , Published: Thursday, December 11, 2008
SEA ISLE CITY - When the city in June allowed restaurants to set up tables on sidewalks and serve food, Braca Cafe owner Kim Gibson didn't bother.
Gibson said a prohibition that excluded alcohol consumption also excluded most of his customers, a largely seasonal crowd who want wine and beer with their meals when they are on vacation.
City Council on Tuesday night passed a controversial ordinance that now allows alcohol in its sidewalk dining district, a downtown area less than a square mile.
The district includes restaurants with liquor licenses, such as Braca's Cafe on John F. Kennedy Boulevard, and BYOB establishments.
"My feeling behind why we are doing this is to try to draw people to Sea Isle City as a destination," Gibson said Wednesday, "In doing so, we're going to create walking traffic. Walking traffic is going to help everybody."
The concept of allowing alcohol consumption outdoors has been controversial since City Council pitched the idea earlier this year.
Some opponents fear it will hurt the tourist city's image as a family town.
Others have argued regulations should be stricter and should apply only to establishments with liquor licenses and not BYOB eateries
Mayor Leonard Desiderio, who does not have a vote on the City Council, has said he believes licensed liquor establishments could regulate alcohol consumption better than BYOBs and would be more effective in curbing underage drinking.
City Council had considered allowing alcohol consumption in its earlier plans for sidewalk dining this spring but scrapped the idea amid opposition.
In November, City Council changed some regulations, reducing the size of the alcohol district and imposing more regulations and training for waiters working at the restaurants and BYOB places.
The council's vote Tuesday affects about a dozen restaurants in Sea Isle City, said council President John Divney.
Divney said the ordinance would need to be renewed each year. "No doubt it's a trial year, but I hope it's a successful trial," he said. "The biggest concern that was raised on this was the possible negative impact from a town image," he said. "Is it going to be people on the corner drinking a beer or what we envision - the ambience. This is going to increase the ambience for our business area and make it a more pleasant atmosphere."
Among the regulations: In restaurants and BYOBs, waiters who wait on sidewalk tables must be at least 18 years old and attend training for alcohol sales, consumption and awareness. Alcohol would be allowed outdoors on the designated sidewalk areas from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Gibson said he now plans to set up tables outside his restaurant in the spring when the weather warms up.
But to be successful, many of the local eateries must participate, he said.
"We're tying to create an environment here so someone outside Sea Isle City will say, 'They have sidewalk dining. Let's take a ride.'"
E-mail Brian Ianieri: BIanieri@pressofac.com
