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Council debates BYOB rules and art'shop license model; no ordinance finalized
Summary
Council discussed possible amendments to Hiram's alcohol ordinance to allow BYOB at specialty businesses ("art shop" model) and debated whether to allow only beer and wine or distilled spirits as well, plus quantity limits and licensing; no final ordinance was adopted and staff will draft options for future consideration.
Hiram City Council held an extensive discussion on potential alcohol ordinance amendments, focusing on a BYOB framework and a narrowly tailored "art shop" license for craft or paint'and'sip businesses.
Staff presented model language used by other cities. The city attorney explained legal considerations, including differences between an art'shop license (as used by Powder Springs) and a broader BYOB approach (as used in parts of Dallas). He noted that allowing BYOB to broadly apply raises questions about enforcement, licensing, and potential liability (including dram shop concepts for establishments that serve alcohol).
A business owner who operates paint'and'sip events described the local practice: prepaid, time'limited sessions, canvas/supplies sold as an inclusive event, and no incidents in her experience operating in Dallas for 1'1/2 years. Several council members expressed support for a narrowly defined art'shop license tailored to craft events where alcohol is incidental to a prepaid, instructional event.
Council debated product scope (beer and wine only versus allowing distilled spirits) and quantity limits. Staff and council discussed practical enforcement: suggested numeric limits included 1.5 liters of wine or 36 ounces of beer per attendee in some models; others proposed limiting by pint or half'pint per attendee. Opinions diverged across councilmembers; some urged minimal government intrusion, others wanted explicit per'attendee limits to reduce risk.
Staff said drafting specific ordinance language will require a council directive on core policy decisions (scope of businesses eligible, types of alcoholic beverages allowed, quantity limitations, and whether to require a minimal license). No final ordinance text was approved; staff will prepare draft language reflecting the range of options discussed and return it for council direction.
“As I see it, there's one end of the spectrum, that's a very limited allowance...and the other end of the spectrum is complete BYOB to any place as long as the owner consents,” the city attorney said as the council discussed the tradeoffs.
