Folly moves to curb alcohol sales

When bars at Folly Beach close at 2 a.m., the staff is left to pick up the mess, count the receipts and square things away.

But when they are finished, they often aren't tired like a lot of the patrons who left at last call because they're on a different schedule. After a night of serving drinks, many of them want to enjoy a couple of cold beers for themselves.

The only nearby places to find them are The Pantry store at the BP gas station on Center Street and Bert's Supermarket on East Ashley Avenue.

That could change if an ordinance proposed at Folly Beach City Council's June 24 meeting is passed late this month prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. The ordinance passed first reading 5-2. Council members Eddie Ellis and Laura Beck voted against the measure.

"We'll never run out of problems, but we will, at some point, run out of liberties," Ellis said at the meeting.

Councilman Tim Goodwin introduced the ordinance because he feels the sale of alcohol during those hours poses a risk to public safety in the beach community.

"The problem with that is that they're not dispersing and going home," he said of people who buy alcohol at those stores during that time. He said many of them stay out in public areas or go driving. "Plus, these people who are selling after 2 do not have an on-site consumption license."

Bert Hastings, the owner of Bert's Supermarket, said that if the ordinance passes, it will hurt local businesses, residents and Folly Beach government. He and several other businesses in the area have posted petitions against the ordinance for customers to sign. There were about 230 signatures on the petition at Bert's register Friday.

"Being in here at 3 or 4 in the morning, it's like a circus," he said. "People are hungry and thirsty. ... How much revenue is the town going to lose from this?"

Goodwin said he doesn't feel Folly Beach would lose a noticeable amount of revenue because the hospitality tax pertains only to food prepared on site.

Beck suggested that Goodwin hold a round-table discussion with local business owners who would be affected by the ordinance. That's what she did when she proposed a citywide smoking ban a few months ago.

Ellis and Beck also voted against a new ordinance that prohibits "unreasonable noise." The draft ordinance states that no person or business in a commercial zone can have loud music or sounds outside a building, for example on a deck or porch, after 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and after 1 a.m. Fridays, Saturdays and holidays. The 1 a.m. rule applies to music outside and inside a building.

Also, social events with 25 or more participants would have to first obtain a permit from the Public Safety Department.

Loud music or noise would not be permitted on the front beach after 7 p.m. on any day.

Reach Sophia Rodriguez at 937-5538 or srodriguez@postandcourier.com.