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Cairo updates ordinance to allow complimentary alcohol at tobacco retailers; council approves one license amid liability questions
Summary
The City Council adopted an ordinance allowing retail tobacco and cigar shops to offer complimentary alcoholic beverages on premises and approved a complimentary-alcohol license for a cigar shop at 745 U.S. Highway 84 E.
The City Council updated a local ordinance to create a category for retail tobacco stores (including cigar shops) that permits those businesses to provide complimentary alcoholic beverages on premises without charge, and it approved a new complimentary-alcohol license for a cigar shop located at 745 U.S. Highway 84 E.
City officials said the ordinance does not specify a limit on the number of complimentary drinks per patron or an inventory cap; the council discussed whether that absence could create liability or enforcement problems. A councilmember said the ordinance should make business owners aware that offering complimentary alcohol carries potential liability for the business. The city attorney and staff explained that certain insurance and dram-shop considerations are governed at the state level and that local ordinance language typically does not override state requirements.
Councilmembers debated three options: approve the ordinance as drafted and monitor for problems, amend the ordinance with quantitative limits and requirements, or send the ordinance back to staff for revision. A motion to approve the ordinance as drafted passed; council members said they could amend the ordinance later if issues arise.
Following the ordinance update, the council considered the new complimentary-alcohol license application for a cigar shop at 745 U.S. Highway 84 E. The building-inspection memo noted the ordinance was not in place at the time of the inspection but inspectors were comfortable with approving the license now that the ordinance is adopted. The council approved the license application; one councilmember abstained from the vote on beverage renewals at that point.
Council discussion emphasized the need for proper insurance and compliance with state requirements for serving alcohol. No specific per-customer drink limits or inventory restrictions were added at the meeting; the council left open the option to amend the ordinance later.
