Edina uncorks new liquor laws

It's never been easy to get a drink in Edina. The city has always banned bars, and it wasn't until 1985 that restaurants were allowed to serve alcohol.

Now, responding to the explosion of brewpubs and taprooms across the Twin Cities, Edina is poised to offer a more spirited experience to its guests.

The City Council this week adopted an amended liquor ordinance killing the requirement that restaurants ring up at least 60 percent of their sales from food — the so-called 60/40 ratio.

And the council gave preliminary approval to another liquor law that would allow brewpubs, taprooms, distilleries and cocktail rooms in certain industrial and commercial areas of the city. That proposal is set for a public hearing in November, with final council approval expected soon after.

"The feelings about alcohol in Edina have changed a lot over the decades," said Bill Neuendorf, the city's economic development manager. "It wasn't too long ago that we were a dry town.

"We're blessed with a lot of great restaurateurs," he said. "We have to have relevant liquor ordinances that allow restaurants to prosper."

The city is responding to the increasing popularity of brewpubs — full-scale restaurants that brew and serve their own beer — and taprooms, which are places where a brewery serves samples of its beer. Though not as widespread, micro-distilleries are also on the rise, many with their own cocktail rooms offering samples of the distiller's craft. Edina has either barred or severely restricted those businesses within the city.

Council members signaled approval of the relaxed liquor laws, which have been approved by the city's Planning Commission and were widely supported by residents in surveys and online forums earlier this year.

But members expressed concern about food trucks. Many taprooms and cocktail rooms arrange for food trucks to serve their customers, but several Edina council members wanted to make sure that food trucks don't compete with the city's restaurants.

"We want to be careful not to put our brick-and-mortar restaurants in the position of being competed with by four wheels that can pull up at any time," said Council Member Kevin Staunton.

The council approved the proposed ordinance unanimously on first reading, but directed staff members to come back with suggestions on handling the food truck issue.

At the end of the discussion, the council adopted another new hospitality law that allows dogs to be on outdoor restaurant patios if the restaurant allows it. Restaurants may bar dogs if they choose, but now they have the option of allowing them.

"You don't want that dog drinking and driving," Mayor James Hovland cautioned dog-loving Council Member Mary Brindle.