A proposal to ease Minneapolis liquor laws separating booze and churches cleared its first hurdle on Monday after a spirited public hearing at City Hall.
Advocates on both sides of the issue spoke their piece on councilmember Gary Schiff's plan to allow restaurants and microbreweries to locate near churches. Schiff says the current restrictions on restaurants have led to many vacant storefronts.
The microbrewery provision garnered the most debate, as it would pave the way for a new microbrewery taproom across the street from St Cyril's Church in the Sheridan neighborhood.
Perhaps the most passionate testimony came from 91-year-old Joe Kronek, who is associated with St. Cyril's.
"The people today, they don't respect the church," Kronek said. "And right now most of these people that are here -- and you, and that one over there. I don't think they respect the church any more. Or who God is. Or what he is there for. All you're thinking about is if you can get drunk and have a good time and get plastered!"
Restaurants can currently serve alcohol near churches if they make 70 percent of their money from food and have no bar. Schiff's change would change it to 60 percent for establishments within 500 feet of a residential area.
Kathryn Hayes, owner of Anchor Fish and Chips, spoke up in defense of the proposal. Anchor must serve 70 percent food because of a nearby school. The restaurant will not be directly affected by Schiff's change.
"The big picture that I see is to have a restriction between an establishment like a school or a church, I think in this day and age in 2011…it's a little archaic."
