BELTON, Texas — Belton businesses are hopeful to see a growth in tourism, a boost in the economy and opportunities to grow after the city has expanded alcohol sales. It comes after voters approved and the city government adopted changes to a Belton alcohol sales ordinance.
The amendment to the ordinance now regulates off-premises sales, like those from package stores and convenience stores. It also clarifies where businesses like bars, distilleries and liquor stores can operate. The city's ordinance still requires establishments in certain zoning districts to apply for specific use permits to sell alcohol.
The push for expanding alcohol sales was a goal for some in the Belton community to draw in more businesses to help the economy and tourism.
Kenna Brockway-Calderon, the tap room manager and events coordinator at Nolan Creek Brewery, said the ordinance helps their bottom line and they're able to not feel the burden of the previous ordinance.
"We had to work within the limitations of the 60/40 rule, which was our food to alcohol sales, and if you didn't meet those ratios, you could get penalized or lose your license," Brockway-Calderon explained. "Now that that's all cleared up since that was a part of the law that had been passed, we no longer have to worry about that. It's just that part of the weight has been lifted off our shoulders."
Brockway-Calderon said they won't be bringing in hard liquor to the business, but the amended ordinance does open up opportunities to expand their offering.
"It does allow us to grow within the beer and in the wine that we can offer for our customers," Brockway-Calderon added. "We're excited to be bringing some new wines in that our percentage has gone up from 14 percent to 17 percent [alcohol by volume (ABV).]"
Many in Belton are also excited for the opportunities for other businesses to choose Belton to open up shop.
"I've heard of some awesome plans that are in the works," Brockway-Calderon said. "I think down the line, we'll see that growth coming in with the change of everything."
The growth is already underway as there are plans for a new rooftop bar to open in early 2025.
"Now with these changes, I'm able to do more and I have a new project coming up -- it'll be Pinky's, it's a rooftop bar in the old opera house that should be open early next year," said Krista Snyder, owner of The Blackbird Books & Spirits. "Thanks to this rule, I can now continue to grow and get involved in other projects."
Snyder opened up the first cocktail bar in Belton, but they were in a zoning area where alcohol was allowed. She said they still had reservations since the old ordinance could have been amended in a way to hurt businesses that sell alcohol, but she's thankful it didn't.
"It did make us nervous to know whether or not that ordinance was going to change not in our favor," Snyder said. "It changed very much in our favor and in the favor of everyone else."
Whether you choose to drink alcohol or not, Snyder believes this is a win for the Belton community as it will draw people in and create more opportunities to put their dollar in Belton.
"I think it's exciting to see that all of these people who have lived here for so long now have a place to go that's more local and they're not spending their money in Georgetown, Round Rock, in Austin as much as before, they're able to do it here," Snyder added. "Being able to put our own money back into our own community is a big part of it too, that's just gonna help with the growth."
The updates to the ordinance also "remove outdated restrictions" on alcohol sales percentages and add new definitions for bars, distilleries and package stores, the City of Belton said. The measure also "aligns local laws with changes to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code."
The Planning and Zoning Commission reportedly unanimously recommended the amendments on Sept. 17, and the City Council's approval marks the final step in implementing the changes, said the City.