Brunch booze on the menu in Waynesville?
After the North Carolina General Assembly’s recent passage of the so-called “brunch bill,” municipal governments in Haywood County have been slow to adopt local ordinances allowing for the sale and service of fortified and unfortified wines, malt beverages and mixed drinks in restaurants, hotels, private clubs, convention centers and community theaters beginning at 10 a.m. Sundays, but that could all change Tuesday, Sept. 12.
That’s when a public hearing before the Waynesville Board of Aldermen will presumably determine if the change from noon will take place; input from the public is expected to guide aldermen in their vote, but questions posed by aldermen Aug. 22 seem to show initial — albeit wary — support for the measure, which would also allow off-premise sales at 10 a.m. at places like Ingles and Walmart.
Alderman LeRoy Roberson asked if anyone had heard about adverse consequences in other municipalities, like disturbances of the peace; Mayor Pro Temp Gary Caldwell said that the American Legion had asked him about the bill; Alderman Jon Feichter and Alderman Julia Freeman both said they were eager to hear the community’s thoughts on the matter.
The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m.