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Ky. (WAVE) – City records obtained by the WAVE News Troubleshooters cast doubt on claims made by the Louisville Hospitality Association that a potential moist vote in the Highlands would immediately shut down 25 businesses and eliminate 500 jobs
Records from three restaurants with liquor licenses along Bardstown Road show all three already clear the 70% food sales threshold that would be required if the moist petition passes
If enough signatures are gathered, a figure that will be known after Aug. 11, residents could vote on whether the strip of Bardstown Road goes moist. Under a moist designation, alcohol could only be sold with a meal, and restaurants would be required to generate at least 70% of their sales from food. Currently, restaurants with liquor licenses must prove they make 50% of their sales from food
The Troubleshooters requested city records for three restaurants with liquor licenses, based on their most recent renewals in October. Jack Fry’s, Impellizzeri’s, and Dittos all showed food sales above the 70% bar. Jack Fry’s was the closest, at 71%
On Thursday, the Hospitality Association said the vote, if passed, would immediately shut down 25 businesses and cost 500 jobs. Jack Fry’s also posted a statement suggesting many restaurants would struggle and asked neighbors to carefully consider the moist petition
Louisville Hospitality Association spokesperson Sean Vandevander compared the vote to prohibition Thursday
“I don’t think any of them will last. Will anybody here be able to stay in business if we pass the 70% petition? No. Not going by numbers right now,” Vandevander said
Jack Fry’s owner Stephanie Meeks, who spoke briefly at the Hospitality Association’s news conference, told the Troubleshooters her restaurant is currently at 69.77% food sales. Liquor license affidavits are not due until October, meaning those numbers could change before renewal
The Troubleshooters have now requested all license affidavits from all restaurants with liquor licenses along Bardstown Road from Highland Avenue to Sherwood Avenue
Meanwhile, the Hospitality Association said it hopes to reach a deal that would retract the moist petition
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