Baldwin store owner takes on Banks alcohol restrictions

HOMER - A Baldwin store owner is taking issue with restrictions on package sales of alcohol in Banks County.<br /> <br /> Salim Hakani of Lawrenceville, who owns Royal Food Chevron No. 6 on Otis Brown Road, said he disagrees with the county ordinance restricting alcohol sales on Thanksgiving.<br /> <br /> "That's not a religious holiday," Hakani said.<br /> <br /> He presented the commission with receipts from stores that were selling alcohol on Thanksgiving.<br /> <br /> Commission Chairman Jimmy Hooper acknowledged Hakani's assertion that some businesses sold alcohol on Thanksgiving.<br /> <br /> "As far as a level playing field, you're absolutely correct," Hooper said. "If you can't sell on Thanksgiving, none of the other businesses should be allowed to sell. We'll try to correct that. I'm sorry it happened this time, but we should be a level, fair playing field for all the businesses."<br /> <br /> Commissioner Charles Turk said businesses should be aware of the prohibition of selling on Thanksgiving.<br /> <br /> "Apparently they're not reading their paperwork when they pay their money to be able to sell alcohol, because it has it in there," Turk said. "They need to be busted."<br /> <br /> Hakani said it's not fair that big stores like Walmart sell alcohol on Thanksgiving, when as a small business owner he obeys the law.<br /> <br /> Hooper acknowledged some store owners are stressing Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday, and said the commission will take up the issue of Thanksgiving sales after the first of the year, noting that's an ordinance change that can be handled by the commission.<br /> <br /> Hakani then asked the commission to consider Sunday package sales in Banks County, saying his customers argue with him that it's not fair restaurants can serve alcohol on Sunday in Banks County but stores can't sell it.<br /> <br /> "They say you can go out and get drunk and drive back home, but you cannot take a drink at home," Hakani said.<br /> <br /> Hooper told him that's an issue that has to start outside the county commission.<br /> <br /> "The issue of sales on Sunday will have to come before the citizens of Banks County in the form of a referendum," Hooper told Hakani. "The chamber of commerce, business association - y'all can come at the appropriate time and request that the board look at the possibility of putting it on the ballot for referendum for the people of Banks County to vote on. That's where you stand on that."<br /> <br /> Hooper said the matter didn't require action at this week's meeting.

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