Alcohol or Economy? Citizens Revive Subject

While not on the agenda, besides one license request, citizens brought alcohol back to the Ellijay City Council as the citizens input of their March meeting was filled with support for issuing a pouring license to the Martyn House on North Main Street in downtown Ellijay.

Having initially requested the license three years ago, representatives from the Martyn House spoke to the Council about numerous requests they have received to stay open later. However, they say as a coffee shop, staying open later would require them to “change from coffee and espresso to beer and wine” in the evenings.

In fact, the majority of the following 13 people who spoke during Citizen’s Input were in support of the Martyn House’s request. However, as people continued speaking, the discussion transitioned from focusing on the Martyn House to Downtown Ellijay as a whole. Some spoke of needing more places to stay open later so that tourists and visitors have something to do at night. Others offered that while Ellijay has bars, they want a more relaxed location for meeting with friends or working on the wi-fi while having a drink, reminiscent of more “lounge-like” atmosphere.

Still others, like Carrie Durden of Moo Bears Ice Cream and Hot Dogs, spoke on needing encouragement and Council support. Durden offered a story of a citizen who called Ellijay’s economy cyclical and held no hope of maintaining the city’s downtown businesses. Many local business owners seemed to want a show of this support through the Martyn House’s request. A motion Mayor Al Hoyle assured citizens he would be speaking with the council on.

The theme of alcohol continued through the meeting with the first reading for a Brewery Ordinance. Being only the first reading, citizens still have time to comment on the ordinance with Mayor Hoyle or attend April’s Meeting to speak during the Citizen’s Input section.

The City’s Meeting continued with approvals of a request for an On Premise Consumption License for Beer and Wine at Lucy’s Fried Chicken and Licensee Jim Stover as well as reappointing Kent Sanford to Library Board. Sanford’s term is ending, but he has indicated his willingness to continue. Although Sanford’s reappointment was approved, the City still needs a second person to appoint to the Board.

One final meeting note came with an Approval for Durden Ventures request for rezoning at 208 Victory Circle. This will change from industrial to general commercial.