A drink with dinner?

Alcohol proponents have long argued that legalizing alcohol sales would draw more fine-dining establishments to Athens. Opponents argue that Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill was established here before legalized sales and operated a “dry” bar successfully.

Applebee’s bar, along with convenience and grocery stores in the city, went “wet” in 2004. But a Birmingham franchise company that owns the local Applebee’s said losing alcohol revenue would not mean the restaurant would close.

“If consumers were to vote alcohol out, it wouldn’t affect our day-to-day operations one bit,” said Wade Crawford, director of marketing for Quality Restaurant Concepts. “We’re in the business of making people happy in our restaurant.”

Hugh Ball, president of Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce, said alcohol sales do have an impact on which restaurants and retailers choose to locate in Athens.

“If we terminate legal sales, the main effect will be reducing our market share for a wide assortment of retail businesses and probably some service businesses,” he said.

He pointed out that when people travel to neighboring cities to visit a restaurant such as Logan’s Roadhouse or Rosie’s Cantina in Huntsville, both just six miles from the Limestone County line, either to have a beer with dinner or because they like having the wider choice of eateries, they will likely do some convenience shopping. While in Huntsville or Decatur, a couple or family might also go to a movie or buy gas.

“Consumers cherish convenience,” Ball said. “What all this adds up to is lost revenue to our businesses and lost tax revenue.”

Ball said Limestone County has long struggled with losing business to neighboring counties. Fewer Limestone County residents shop locally than do those in Huntsville and Madison County, he said.

The trend is reversing as new strip malls are built with chain and local retail stores and popular restaurant chains opening. Ruby Tuesday opened in 2005, Guthrie’s opened in 206, Chick-fil-A opened in July and Zaxby’s is scheduled to open this month.

“Where were all these people eating before we had all these restaurants? They were eating in Huntsville and Decatur,” Ball said

Although not all growth can be traced to legalized sale of alcohol, Ball said progress does depend on being able to draw these types of businesses and lure people from Interstate 65.

“We have a front door on the interstate that nobody else has,” he said, adding Athens is the best exit for travelers between Nashville and Birmingham and perhaps all the way to the Gulf coast.

“Every time we fill up our hotels, which we’ve done pretty often lately, that’s $400,000 economic impact per night,” he said. “While they’re here, they’re buying gas, food and doing some shopping.”