Fayetteville and Peachtree City voters in November will have their say on a referendum that would allow restaurants to serve alcohol beginning at 11 a.m. on Sundays. The current law allows alcohol to be served beginning at 12:30 p.m.
The Peachtree City Council on July 19 voted to approve the “Brunch Bill” for the November ballot.
In addition to several local races in November, Peachtree City voters will also decide whether they want to get their alcoholic drinks earlier on Sunday morning.
After years of discussion, the General Assembly passed the legislation this year that allows local municipalities to allow restaurants to start selling alcohol at 11 a.m. instead of 12:30 p.m. on Sundays, so long as the voters in that municipality approve.
The Fayetteville City Council on July 19 approved the measure on a 3-0 vote, with council members Kathaleen Brewer, Rich Hoffman and Harlan Shirley in favor. Councilment Paul Oddo and Scott Stacy were not at the meeting.
City staff said Gov. Nathan Deal signed Senate Bill 17 into law in May, allowing restaurants to increase their serving time for alcohol by one and a half hours.
Staff said this will be a boost to restaurants financially and to patrons desiring alcoholic drinks with their brunch, hence the “brunch bill.”
The resolution approved by the City Council allows the item to be placed on the Nov. 11 general election ballot.
If the referendum passes, restaurants can begin serving alcohol at 11 a.m. beginning Nov. 11.
Staff noted that only establishments that make at least 50 percent of their money from food will be allowed to start selling alcohol at 11 a.m.
The new law does not permit Georgia consumers to purchase alcohol before 12:30 p.m. from grocery or liquor stores. — Also reported by Ben Nelms
