You may soon be able to enjoy a cold beer while watching a movie at the city’s only theater.
On Monday evening, the East Ridge Beer Board granted an on-premises beer permit to Carmike Theaters on South Terrace.
Todd Coffman, the manager of Carmike told the board that the alcohol sales would be in a separate area from the other concessions. Staff is currently undergoing extensive training on serving beer. The beer would be sold in clear cups with no more than two being purchased at one time. Staff designated as monitors would keep an eye out for intoxicated patrons, who would be removed at once.
Coffman said the plan is for Carmike to apply for a state liquor license to serve cocktails and wine. It was noted that other Carmike locations in the region sell alcohol.
Board member Dennis Massengale asked if Coffman had any statistics about the number of incidents involving alcohol at Carmike’s other theaters. Coffman said he was not aware of any.
Board member Charlie Snyder said that he didn’t see how theater management could keep beer out of the hands of a determined minor.
“What’s to keep someone from buying a coke, dumping it out, then putting the beer in a coke cup?” he asked.
Massengale said that the same kind of action – an adult providing alcohol to a minor in another cup or glass – could be done in any restaurant.
Coffman said if Carmike monitors suspect this kind of activity, the parties would be pulled out of the theater to make sure the rules were being obeyed. Anyone in violation would be escorted from the theater and the authorities called.
Beer board member Earl Wilson made a motion to grant a permit. The motion was seconded by Snyder. The vote to approve was unanimous.
Also on the agenda was the issue of an on premises permit for Best Western. Representatives from the motel did not show and the board passed the issue until the April meeting.
Discussions ensued about a list of businesses that have not submitted required reports on alcohol sales as it relates to food sales. The city’s ordinance requires the ratio of food sales in any restaurant to exceed beer sales. If the report is not submitted, the board may suspend the restaurants permit to sell beer.
