The Public Opinion Soapbox

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2569 Location: Chambersburg

Three stories in the PO today detailing the availability (or I should say unavailability) of liquor licensing in Franklin County. The stories are very informative and lay out exactly what is required for a business to locate here if they want to serve alcohol, how difficult it is to do and also a list of all the townships and communities (more than I though) that are dry.

Unfortunately, as the article pointed out, most of the communities are along the I-81 corridor which is perhaps the only area of Franklin County developers are interested in.

A lot of nasty comments on Topix too, implying that anyone who wants a restaurant in town that serves is clearly an alcoholic (and other turn-of-the 19th century observations). Someone promised that the new Bistro 71, which is receiving the economic development liquor license, will "only make things worse downtown."

Ugh.

I'm really considering looking to move out of the area, but then I suppose they will have won. So instead I'd like to help bring responsible development, and yes, a little bit of modern availability of alcohol to our backward community.

anonymous_coward · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 548

what problems are they alluding to downtown? that there are people that don't look like they've lived here 200 years?

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2569 Location: Chambersburg

Well, I think that's what I'm most baffled by. Someone just made the remark that having a place like Bistro 71 downtown, that sells alcohol, could actually make things worse. So I immediately question if that person has ever left Franklin County.

In fact, none of it makes sense. Any "problems" that exist downtown are a result of low-income housing coupled with not stores being open downtown after dark. I don't believe there are many problems that can be characterized as, specifically, drinking related. The only bar I know of in the area is that Dave's Tavern, and I don't think it's a very happenin' place. So, that doesn't make sense.

I guess it's just this very old-fashioned perception that any place that serves alcohol clearly contributes to an ongoing societal problem. Unfortunately for them, that couldn't be further from the truth. A nice dining destination downtown will only make the area surrounding it better as decent, law-abiding folks go in for dinner and a few drinks. I don't see a lot of drunk's staggering out of Copper Kettle or The Orchard's, and I'm hoping this new place is better than both of those (and hopefully a bit more casual). It's as if people think they're opening another Razzle's downtown.

I don't know; I suppose it's difficult to argue with someone who refuses to apply logic.

Irish1 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 62 Location: Montgomery Township

The funny thing about the Bistro they will only be serving beer and wine to compliment the food, it is a a limited license.
When we first moved to PA my wife and I, along w/ 2 other families took a camping trip to the Lancaster area. Our children were small and the perfect amusement park was Dutch Wonderland. Instead of toting along the adult drinks we figured we would purchase them when we got settled at the campground. Once we found a distributor purchasing a couple of cases of beer was no big deal, when we found the state store and bought a bottle (1.5 litre ) of gin, vodka, and a few bottles of wine the clerk actually handed us some literature about alcoholism.

BadKarma42 · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:05 am Post subject:

Coppy,

I would like to extend you congrats for the article in the newspaper. You have been speaking/posting to this issue for quite a while now and the newspaper has determined it to be worthy of the coverage.

The PO should provide you come sort of credit in the paper/article.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2569 Location: Chambersburg

I don't need any credit, but I do appreciate them reporting on it. It's too bad more people can't take a more responsible approach to alcohol, but I thought the articles were informative and at least started a dialog on the subject.

A Talking Horse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 143 Location: Cove Gap

I think this says it all...

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