Politics & Government
Open Container Allowed At Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta
The Woodstock City Council recently approved shoppers to carry alcohol at the Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta between stores and around the mall.
WOODSTOCK, GA -- Shoppers at the Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta can sip on their alcoholic beverage of choice while shopping thanks to the creation of an Entertainment District in the City of Woodstock.
The Woodstock City Council voted March 11 to create the Entertainment District to allow open containers within the confines of the mall, beyond the restaurants. Alcohol will not be allowed to leave the premises of the mall, including into the parking lot. Drinks will have a maximum pour of 16 ounces and must be in plastic containers.
Brantley Day, Director of Community Development for Woodstock, said in a letter to the city, that in 2018, the Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta began inquiring about an alcohol consumption license, seeking to allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages within the confines of the mall building and concourses.
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Initially, city staff assisted the Outlet Shoppes as they explored a consumption license, with the Outlet Shoppes themselves as a vendor, Day wrote. They eventually decided not to pursue
the consumption license and instead to seek permission to allow patrons to carry open
containers within the mall.
Day said the open containers will be supplied by tenants within the mall that possess alcohol consumption licenses, including Taqueria Tsunami and De Allende Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar. Johnny Rockets was pursuing a consumption license but has not submitted an application, Day said.
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"This entertainment district will 'bridge the gap' between licensed premises, permitting the carrying of open containers by patrons within the footprint of the mall," Day wrote. "As the mall is private property, they will establish rules and procedures for the implementation of the entertainment district. The establishment of the entertainment district simply clarifies that open containers may be carried beyond the limits of the licensed consumption premises, which is somewhat ambiguous regarding adjoining private property in a mall configuration."
David C. Nelson, Senior Vice President with Horizon Group Properties which owns the Outlet Shoppes, said in a letter to the council the Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta is a family-friendly environment.
Over the past years, Nelson said the shopping center industry has evolved in the face of online competition such that entertainment, amenities and environment have become increasingly important.
"This is a critically important element of our appeal within the community, and we are committed to maintaining this appeal," he wrote. "The moderate consumption of alcoholic drinks on-site along with the flexibility for patrons to have an open container within our common areas [which] will allow a more fulsome experience and will help us maintain our market position relative to competitors such as Avalon."
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