GA: Brunswick businesses scoff at proposed ‘pour tax’
Brunswick City Commissioners will consider on February 20. It’s an added expense alcohol selling businesses face that some are even petitioning.
By Alexander Osiadacz, Author
February 18, 2019
BRUNSWICK, Ga. — A new pour tax could have some businesses in Brunswick paying more to the City.
It’s part of a proposal that city commissioners will consider Feb. 20. It’s an added expense alcohol-selling businesses in
Brunswick are facing — and that some are even petitioning.
A tax of 22 cents per liter on distilled alcohol, a similar deal for wine, and $6 per half-keg of beer. All due monthly to the city coffers in addition to the yearly $1,250 dollars to pour alcohol.
But what all the numbers add up to according to Ellen Thompson — a pain in her pocketbook.
“It’s taking us far beyond what I think we have to pay,” Thompson said.
She has owned Fox’s Pizza Den downtown for 13 years. Thompson said businesses will have to make up the loss somewhere and it’s not what she wants.
“It will go back to the customer, we try our darnedest not too,” Thompson said.
She believes restaurants and bars in Brunswick are already paying an unfair price. Anything more could put them at a disadvantage to out of town spots not subject to existing fees.
“They can sell cheaper than we can less expensive because we have these additional burdens the city has put on us,” Thompson said.
A petition circulating around town looking to stop the tax in its tracks gaining momentum among the business community.
Thompson said it is one way of showing the City who this impacts.
“It’s not a good feeling, I think most of the merchants feel the same what I do and it’s just bit too much of a burden to put on us,” Thompson said.