Rome to get 1st proposal under its new liquor law

The commission also is expected to move on a change to the Alcohol Control Commission at its Monday meeting.

Old Havana Cigar Bar could be the first venue in Rome allowed to sell liquor without offsetting food sales, if the City Commission approves the plan Monday.

Owner Steven McDowell netted backing from the Alcohol Control Commission to add drinks such as premium bourbon, single-malt scotches and martinis at his Broad Street establishment.

“We’ll focus on craftmade spirits that aren’t widely available commercially,” he said.

City commissioners amended the 50-50 food-to-drink ratio required for liquor sales this month to allow the sale of non-food items to count. Permits, however, are on a case-by-case basis.

The ACC recommended approval of McDowell’s proposal early last week. The City Commission will make the final decision at its Monday meeting. The board caucus at 5 p.m. and starts its regular session at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall, 601 Broad St.

McDowell said his cigar bar in Cartersville has no trouble meeting that city’s 70-30 ratio for liquor sales. His establishment in Gadsden, Alabama, also sells liquor but, so far, he can offer only beer and wine in Rome.

“I want to balance the (liquor) sales with items I already sell,” McDowell told the ACC.

More than 55 percent of his business is the sale of premium hand-rolled cigars, he said. His application also lists cigar accessories, handcrafted briarwood pipes and “luxury tobacco.”

If the City Commission approves his permit, McDowell can then seek a liquor license from the state. He said he hopes to have the permit in hand within 90 days or so.

Also on Monday, the City Commission is expected to change the ACC to an all-citizen board.

Currently, the panel is made up of three citizen members and three city commissioners. Under the proposed amendment, Commissioner Craig McDaniel would be the non-voting liaison this year.

“We have three commissioners voting on the ACC and then they vote when it comes to the City Commission. That doesn’t make sense,” McDaniel said.

The three sitting citizens — Colin Doss, John Kendrick and Monica Sheppard — would continue serving. City Clerk Joe Smith said he’s already taken applications from several people interested in filling the two new seats.