The Kissimmee City Commission is set to debate some significant changes regarding alcohol sales and associated permits during their meeting. Amidst concerns over public safety and business revenues, the Commission will consider adjusting the window of time during which alcohol sales are permissible, potentially affecting the last call for drinks currently established at 2 a.m. This move comes as the city grapples with the aftermath of a shooting in early May involving individuals who had just left a downtown bar, as reported by ClickOrlando.
The change considerations have been met with mixed reactions from residents and business owners. One local, Alexander Laffey, told, as reported by ClickOrlando, “I think alcohol quickly gets out of hand sometimes and causes problems. So I’d be for limiting alcohol.” Meanwhile, businesses express concern over the financial implications of such changes. Another resident, Jim Miller, opposes limiting alcohol sales, stating, “Anything that decreases revenues for business owners isn’t a good thing, because right now, they need to make a lot of money.”
Additionally, the commission will discuss the introduction of an after-midnight alcohol sales permit, as reported by WESH. The proposed permit system aims to address recurring issues associated with noise complaints and the demand on city resources for crime deterrence and crowd control during the late-night and early morning hours in the downtown area.
Details regarding the cost of the proposed permits have not been finalized, but have ranged from $250 to $1,500. This implementation could significantly impact businesses that rely on late-night sales, with some earning between 40 and 60 percent of their income from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., as Cariño highlighted in her comments, as detailed by WESH.
