Downtown bar owners worried about liquor license changes

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington City Council is considering changes to ABC licensing to help make downtown a safer place. Bar owners are worried the recommendations could hurt both existing, and future business.

Dustin Cook owns Pravda, a bar on Front Street in downtown Wilmington. He applied for a new license, but was denied because Wilmington police are trying to limit the number of ABC permits. Now Cook is worried about the future of his business.

“Bar owners of downtown are willing to work with the City Council and with the police, to come up with ideas on how to solve these problems” said Cook. “But unfortunately, were not being asked for our input right now.”

According to its recommendation WPD also wants to limit the number of floors bars can occupy,create a special tax district to increase lighting and the number of officers, deny all people under 21 years old and require plastic or paper cups.

City Council will vote on these changes Tuesday.