At its regular meeting Oct. 11, the City of Magnolia held a town hall meeting to hear the opinions of residents about whether or not Magnolia should legalize the sale of all alcoholic beverages, including mixed beverages.

Jonny Williams reiterated his thoughts that the liquor option was not about drinking in the city limits. He explained that the City of Magnolia has been missing out on sales tax from the sale of alcoholic beverages and making the sale of alcoholic beverages legal would increase tax money for Magnolia.

“The tax dollars would go back to the community,” he added.

Several restaurant managers showed their support for the legalization of the sale of all alcoholic beverages as well.

One family said that they were in support as this would cause no harm to the community and only be beneficial to Magnolia.

Blue Iguana and Rancho Grande said if the liquor option were to pass they feel more restaurants would be willing to open in Magnolia.

“We’re ready for the competition,” one restaurant manager said.

Co-owner of Mo-Co’s Grill,Todd Anderson echoed the same thoughts explaining that if the liquor option were to pass he predicts he would see a 25 percent increase in sales.

“Twenty-five percent increase in sales is huge for us,” he said.

In addition, Anderson said he would be able to hire more employees. He also explained that the legalization of the sale of alcoholic beverages, including mixed beverages in Magnolia would keep people in the city.

Currently, restaurants selling hard liquor, such as Blue Iguana and Rancho Grande, have to establish memberships with their customers in order for them to drink at their establishments.

“This makes it really hard (for restaurants),” a Rancho Grande manager said.

In May the City of Magnolia held a petition to include a liquor sales option on the May 14 ballot, but the petition failed and did not make the ballot due to a lack of qualified signatures.

City Administrator Paul Mendes began the petition process again for the November ballot and the City of Magnolia successfully obtained the required number of signatures.

Mendes said he had enough positive feedback in May to determine that this was a worthwhile project. The town hall meeting provided additional positive feedback to council members.

Now, with the liquor option officially on the ballot, Magnolia will need a majority vote in order for the sale of all alcoholic beverages, including mixed beverages to pass.

The ballot will contain only one proposition; “local option to legalize the sale of all alcoholic beverages, including mixed beverages.”

Early voting by personal appearance will begin on Oct. 24 through Oct. 29 and Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 3 and 4 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Malcolm Purvis Library located on Melton Street.

On Nov. 8 the polling places will be the Malcolm Purvis Library and the West Montgomery County Community Development Center located on Friendship Drive. Both locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Applications for mail ballots must be received no later than the close of business on Nov. 1 and addressed to Suzie Harvey, Montgomery County Election Administrator, P.O. Box 2646, Conroe, TX 77305-2646.

For more information, visit cityofmagnolia.com or mctx.org.

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