Liquor license by population could increase in Spring Hill

SPRING HILL A week after city residents voted to allow wine in grocery stores, Spring Hills city council is now debating whether or not to change the amount of liquor licenses it distributes based on population.

Currently, the law states the city can issue one liquor license per 5,000 people. The proposed amendment could raise that limit to 10,000.

This is something liquor store owners, like Randy Wilkes, of Station Wine and Spirits, is in favor of, because he said it gives businesses like his time to adjust to the new law and face the inevitable competition of chain stores.

With the law that just passed on this past Tuesday, the four mom-and-pop retail stores in Spring Hill are now going to be competing with some of the largest retailers in America, he said.

Spring Hills population is around 31,000. If the amendment passes, no new license will be distributed unless it grows to 50,000.

During Monday nights work session, council members seemed split on the issue. Some claimed the measure would prevent larger stores that could accommodate more products like mixers, glasses and other bar-related accessories. Others, like Alderman Amy Wurth opposed the change because she felt it contradicts the idea of a free market and other opportunities for growth within the city.

Im not going to support this. Were trying to limit competition within our city and I dont know why, Wurth said. I dont know if its because wine in grocery stores passed or we dont want any more competition. Its just against every core principle I have.

Vice Mayor Bruce Hull said he feels limiting the liquor market to four stores isnt hurting anybody. He also said despite the idea of Spring Hill having a free market, it already puts bans and restrictions on certain businesses within the city.

Im good with the 10,000. I think it should be as high as we can legally make it. And we do restrict a free market in this city. We have a ban on any type of sex businesses, strip clubs, anything like that. Theyre not allowed in the city, Hull said. If we could, I think we should ban all cash-advance places. I think they prey on poor people.

Alderman Eliot Mitchell also agrees the board should pick a number that makes sense and said the laws are in place because it is both a safety issue and the concept of a liquor store on every corner directly affects property values as well.

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Liquor license by population could increase in Spring Hill