Glynn County approves beer-and-wine package license for The Cottage at King and Prince, 6-1

The Glynn County Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 on Dec. 19 to issue a 2024 alcoholic beverage package license (beer and wine only; off-premise sales; Sunday sales permitted) to Jordan Phillips, the licensee for Crown KP Hotel LLC doing business as The Cottage at 238 Arnold Road, St. Simons Island.

Opponents at the public hearing raised concerns about market saturation and neighborhood impacts. Reed Zay, who said his wife operates a nearby liquor store, told commissioners the area already has multiple outlets within a small radius and argued a new off‑premise license would increase traffic and harm small businesses. "Granting them yet another license to sell off premise seems to be redundant," Zay said.

Jordan Phillips, a partner at South Street Partners and the applicant, and Bart Johnson, the King and Prince general manager, said the package license is for sealed beer and wine only, is lawful under state and county rules, will be operated with training and signage, and is intended primarily to serve resort guests while remaining open to the public. "Our mantra is to be stewards of the assets, very much play into the community," Phillips said.

Commissioners discussed legal and practical differences between on‑premise pouring licenses and a retail package license, parcel boundaries and how the county enforces open-container rules. County staff and the attorney confirmed the application met statutory and county ordinance requirements and noted that the commission retains discretion to revoke a license if an operator violates rules.

Motion to grant the license passed by a 6-1 vote. The commission did not specify additional license conditions at the meeting; officials said ordinance and state rules govern hours and enforcement. The county manager and police department are positioned to monitor compliance and bring violations to the commission if necessary.