SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — A new plan from Sioux Falls city councilors would help close a loophole involving liquor licenses.
Councilors Christine Erickson and Marshall Selberg will present a proposal to change city rules on alcohol licenses at Tuesday’s city informational meeting. One of their proposals would aim to cut out a “secondary market” where a limited number of licenses are re-sold at higher prices to business owners.
The councilors propose getting rid of the license waitlist, essentially putting a stop to applications for liquor licenses for a few years while those currently on the waitlist are worked through.
In the meantime, the city would come up with a plan to ensure people buying licenses are putting them to use selling drinks and not flipping them to somebody else.
The councilors also proposed cutting down the price of a license for restaurants by about 40%, to roughly $150,000. They say the cheaper license will get more restaurants in town, and allow existing ones to grow.
This would only apply to restaurants where 60% of their money comes from things that aren’t alcohol.
Erickson and Selberg will present their proposal at Tuesday’s informational meeting.
