Advocates: Liquor vote could fuel downtown

The ward's councilman supports the option.
& lt;a href=mailto:dick@vindy.com & gt;By DENISE DICK & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Supporters of a liquor option on the Nov. 4 ballot say its passage would create a level playing field for the downtown with The Strip.
If approved, the option would allow liquor sales between 1 p.m. and midnight Sundays in the downtown area, from the south side of Washington Street to South Street along Mahoning Avenue, South Street to the west side of Chestnut Street, up to Woodland Avenue and back to Washington Street.
Beer sales permitted
Beer sales already are permitted in the area.
"It makes good business sense," said Tristan Hand, owner of Queen of Hearts on Pine Street and one of the organizers of the effort.
Councilman Robert Holmes III, D-4th, whose ward includes the area of the proposed option, collected signatures to get the issue to the ballot.
Although Holmes doesn't own any businesses that would be affected by the change and says he doesn't drink, he thinks it would benefit downtown.
"If you go to one of the restaurants surrounding the Eastwood Mall that serve wine and liquor on a Sunday, people are lined up for tables until 3 or 4 p.m.," Holmes said.
After the initial lunch rush, patrons disperse at downtown restaurants Sunday afternoons, Holmes said. The option of having a glass of wine or a cocktail with lunch or dinner may be a reason, the councilman believes.
Weekend activity
The change also may be a way to make downtown a weekend destination for people.
"When workers leave on Friday afternoon, we don't see them again until Monday morning," Hand said.
A recent study found that 5,200 people work within a half-mile of the Trumbull County Courthouse, yet downtown isn't active on weekend evenings, Holmes said.
"All of those people come into the city and then go into Niles," Holmes said.
With attractions such as Packard Music Hall, National Packard Museum and the Amphitheater that draw people to and near downtown, Holmes thinks the ballot issue may be a way to keep them there longer.
Generate more taxes
The change would also generate more taxes for the city, possibly draw more businesses in and encourage existing businesses to extend weekend operating hours, Hand said.
He also thinks it's a first step to creating an entertainment district downtown.
"We think this will give us even footing," Hand said. "It's a first place to start. If we're going to develop downtown during the day, you need to develop downtown during the nighttime as well."