Clovis OKs another brewer’s license

CLOVIS — For some of Clovis’ citizens, the thought of a third potential brewery on Main Street was too much to accept.

To the Clovis city commission, three feet didn’t seem like much of a reason to deny. Via a 7-1 vote, the commission approved an application for a brewer’s license for Roosevelt Brewing at the former Sutton’s Bakery building and a variance for minimum distance from a church.

The vote means the commission has approved operations for four potential breweries on the 400 and 500 blocks of North Main so far in 2019 — the previous being Foote Brewing Company and Bandolero Brewery in February, and Red Door in August after Foote withdrew its application. None have begun operations.

From property line to property line, the building Roosevelt Brewing wishes to use for craft beer and food service is 297 feet from True Victory Church. The local governing body has the decision on granting waivers for applicants within 300 feet of a church or school.

Bonetta Hutson, a pastor at Living Word Church of God, said she constantly has people who come to the church seeking help with alcohol addictions and adding more places to get alcohol will add more of those issues.

Justin Cole, a Portales resident who was raised in Clovis, said he was baptized at True Victory and believed he could operate without upsetting the church’s operations. He extended his arm to note that was about the three feet of distance that made the waiver necessary.

Mayor Pro Tem Juan Garza reiterated his argument that responsible drinkers shouldn’t have their options limited because irresponsible drinkers exist.