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More to drink in Napa County
Governor approves Evans bill for more liquor licenses
Sunday, July 20, 2008
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Wined out? It will be easier to find mixed drinks at local restaurants in coming years.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation last week authorizing 15 more general liquor licenses — an almost 25 percent increase — in Napa County.
Liquor licenses have been in such short supply that some restaurateurs have paid as much as $300,000 to buy one from proprietors who own licenses but are closing their bars or restaurants.

The state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will sell the new licenses for $12,000.
Scores of restaurants now make do with wine and beer permits because liquor licenses are so expensive and in such limited supply.

Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, authored the bill to raise the cap on Napa County’s general liquor licenses. There are currently 62 licenses.
The liquor license cap, which is based on population, made no sense in Napa County where tourism boosts the demand for liquor far higher than it would otherwise be, Evans said.

“This bill provides some relief to local businesses struggling to meet the growing demands of our tourism industry,” Evans said in a press release.

“This bill will provide an economic stimulus and help keep visitors keep coming back to Napa.”

Craig Smith, executive director of the Napa Downtown Association, expects close to 100 applicants to seek one of the new licenses. Existing and future restaurant operators will want one, he said.

“They’re going to get what is currently a $300,000 asset for $12,000,” he said.

ABC will issue five licenses per year starting in 2009, when the law takes effect. If there are more than five applicants, the state will hold a countywide drawing.

Applicants will have to demonstrate that they are credible restaurant operators and undergo a background check. Winning applicants cannot sell their licenses for two years.

This is only the second time that California has made an exception to its population formula for issuing general liquor licenses. In 2007, the Legislature awarded 10 additional licenses to Mono County, where the resident population is low but the number of visitors to Mammoth Lakes is high.

Napa County has a population of 137,000, according to the latest state estimates. The county draws some 4.7 million visitors per year, Evans said.

Napa’s relatively small population is a function of county and city policies to grow slowly and protect agriculture. “By tying alcohol licenses to growth, state law penalizes Napa for protecting its agricultural heritage,” Evans said.

Evans’ bill, Assembly Bill 2266, passed both the Assembly and Senate on unanimous votes.

The law takes effect in January. ABC may not open applications until later in 2009, Smith said.
15 comment(s)

Madison Jay Hamilton wrote on Jul 20, 2008 9:20 AM:

" I'm up for the challenge to do my part to make this change worthwhile. "

loomco wrote on Jul 20, 2008 10:17 AM:

" I know some local restaurant owners that this is going to p*** off big time after they forked out $200k or more for a license. But, then again, maybe we will have a place or two you don't have to pay $15 for a good martini... "

rogers wrote on Jul 20, 2008 11:02 AM:

" loomco & MJH couldn't agree more! About time we have a little fair competition and more places to go for something other than wine and beer. I don't do much drinking but I'm tired of the few high-end restaurants owning the marketplace. And to the arrogant owner of a very high priced restaurant on Main Street who declared "there are haves and have nots - I'm one of the haves..." I hope this halves your have! "

Byoung wrote on Jul 20, 2008 12:25 PM:

" Thats for sure loomco, Im sure everyone is this town hates the fact that we pay double to triple for weak drinks in this town compared to outta town. In santa rosa you pay $8 for a drink that would be anywhere from $14-$16 out here, not to mention the glasses are triple the size they're out here... As well as the amount of alchohol in your drink.... honestly i have to order atleast 3 drinks here to match one of theirs "

Dwayne wrote on Jul 20, 2008 12:31 PM:

" A great way to increase revenue from more DUI arrests.... "

tiredofcomplainingnapkins wrote on Jul 20, 2008 4:56 PM:

" It doesn't really matter to the people who paid 200k for there license's, they will still be worth that much after they hand out the 15 more. Napa is such a desirable place that any liquor license is going to be worth 200k easy "

Dwayne wrote on Jul 20, 2008 6:04 PM:

" The average DUI fine is about $1500-bucks, and they do about 80 per month. Over a year that's about $1.4 million dollars that could be tagged for road repairs.

I still think the wineries should pay for road repairs instead of building ego-castles. "

funnyme wrote on Jul 20, 2008 7:38 PM:

" Do you really think this is going to increase the DUI's?
More drunks with the same amount of cops on the streets will not get the DUI numbers higher, unless the "check points" are on Silverado and 29 between St. Helena and Yountville before 6:00 PM, otherwise it would be our own locals (who, btw, should have already learned that "they're watchin ya").
Whatever you do, take a cab if you had one too many...or we will be picking you apart on the monthly "NVR DUI Report" "

BiLly wrote on Jul 20, 2008 7:49 PM:

" most everyone did not pay $250k for their license and tough beasns if they go down in value. Like you said they have been making tons of money form them. time for some fair competition "

MommaD wrote on Jul 20, 2008 8:07 PM:

" That is exactly what this town and its people need is more alcohol to drink...That is so ridiculous, you can not go anywhere without alcohol being the a huge part of the attraction.. What a great example we are showing are children...Can't have fun without it and can't go anywhere without it...I will pray for ALL of you that think this is ok. "

doscentavos wrote on Jul 20, 2008 8:11 PM:

" I agree with Dwayne..Why tax the local residents when there are millions of TOURISTS coming to Napa region each year..since they are creating the traffic..let them pay and let us local residents benefit.
Of course NONE of our elected officials have the testicular fortitude to make these fiscally responsible decisions. "

kevin wrote on Jul 20, 2008 9:13 PM:

" I guess I can no longer say that Evans has done NOTHING worthwhile while in office. Thank you Noreen... "

napablogger wrote on Jul 20, 2008 9:15 PM:

" It's crazy that the government is limiting this at all. Do they issue grocery licenses for groceries stores? Tire licenses for auto tire stores? Any business that wants to sell liquor should be able to do so. What's the difference? Competition will drive out the ones that can't make it, and we will all pay less for our fun. "

pernodboi wrote on Jul 20, 2008 9:50 PM:

" 15 more licenses for the entire county - and only at 5 a year.

MommaD - don't think the city of Napa will see much change.

When I was a boy it seems towns like Suisun and Younteville had many bars, all in a row. Did the state start controlling the licenses in the 80's? Or did the skid rows just disengrate and the licenses move to restaurants farther apart?

With all the new hotels coming in - I bet Napa County will actually see a decrease in liquor serving restaurants/bars until 2010, maybe 2011.

Would love to see a story of the changing bar scene in the county - my guess is that liquor consumption has decreased, per customer, over the last 30 years. I mean - Younteville was single wides and bars when I was a boy. "

chunk wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:02 PM:

" A lot of people I know go out of town on weekends for cheaper drinks and a better nightlife. Too bad it wasn't right here in Napa. These licenses will probably go to a current business such as a restaurant and not to someone trying to create a new scene. Oh well. Guess I'll just go to Chico. "

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