Theater liquor update advances
A developer is ready to move forward on his plans to bring a movie house that bills itself as the world’s only first-run cinema-eatery-microbrewery to Oklahoma City.
On Friday, the Senate approved a conference committee version of House Bill 2186. It was sent to Gov. Mary Fallin for her approval or veto.
The measure would allow permitted theaters to sell beer and mixed beverages without requiring those services to be segregated into an adult-only environment.
Essentially, it would put movie theaters into the same entertainment category as
other public spaces, such as arenas and outdoor baseball stadiums.
It was authored by state Reps. Cory Williams and Katie Henke, state Sens. David Holt and Anastasia Pittman and had numerous co-authors in both chambers.
The bill’s conference committee version only added a requirement for theater servers to use wristbands or stamps to identify legal consumers of alcoholic beverages. The Senate approved the measure by a 26 to 17 vote.
On Friday, both Holt and Randy Hogan, Hogan Property Co. LLC’s CEO, said the bill’s approval opens the door for exciting economic development projects to come into the state.
Hogan already is working with American Fidelity Assurance Co. to develop about 100 acres of the latter’s property that fronts the Broadway Extension, north of Wilshire Boulevard.
A key part of their project is a Flix Brewhouse, which has existing operations in surrounding states. Offices, a hotel or two and perhaps multifamily housing also are part their plans.
Flix combines the latest Hollywood productions with custom crafted beers and food served “in theater,” on an a la carte basis.
The first Flex Brewhouse opened in Round Rock, Texas, in 2011, and Hogan has said his project would be a “nice alternative” to traditional theater experiences Oklahomans enjoy now.
He said millennials love the concept. On Friday, he added he will commence formal lease negotiations with Flix soon.
“I am very, very grateful,” Hogan said. “It opens the door for some really exciting developments — not just from us, but I think from others, too. We are talking multiple projects and some serious dollars.
“It has been a really great day.”
Holt said the process to get the bill approved this year was lengthy and difficult.
“Finally, today, (it was approved) with exactly one vote to spare,” Holt said. “It wasn’t easy, but alcohol bills have never been easy in this place. There was a reason this state was dry until 1959.
“It is the same argument — teetotalers versus those who think adults ought to be able to do what they want to do, within reason.”
Holt said he understood every state that touches Oklahoma’s border already has similar provisions on their books.
“There is at least one active development project in Oklahoma City that’s pursuing a chain seeking this. I suspect there will be more. Existing movie theaters also will take advantage of it. I think that will only help their businesses,” Holt said.
“Certainly, people in Oklahoma City, I believe, will be very pleased.”