State lets bars stay open

The Georgia Department of Revenue announced today that it will allow bars, restaurants and retailers that have not yet received their 2006 alcohol licenses to continue selling through Jan. 13.

The department had notified permit holders they would be prohibited from selling alcohol or taking deliveries from wholesalers if their permits weren't posted Jan. 3.

Revenue Commissioner Bart L. Graham's announcement Friday came after the department was bombarded with phone calls from business owners who had not yet received their licenses, despite meeting the department's Nov. 5 application deadline.

Under state law, a business cannot purchase or sell alcohol unless it posts the actual license on its premises.

"The commissioner just decided, that because of the holiday and the volume of mail, that we're going to extend it to the 13th," Deputy Commissioner Ed Many said.

State offices were closed Monday and Tuesday and will be closed again Monday.

Georgia Restaurant Association Executive Director Ron Wolf said he had received numerous calls during the week from concerned association members, including major chain restaurants.

"That's great," Mr. Wolf said upon hearing of the extension. "Because we just got more calls."

News of the extra grace period was also welcomed by local businesses that faced the possibility of going dry Tuesday.

"I think that it's the right thing to do. A lot of people were feeling the pressure," said George Harrison, the owner of Beamie's and The Boll Weevil restaurants in Augusta.

Mr. Harrison said Friday he had received his alcohol license for Beamie's but hadn't received his Boll Weevil permit. He said both renewal permits were submitted by the department's Nov. 5 deadline.

"I don't know why they can't get the licenses to people by the 15th of December," he said.

In years past, the Revenue Department allowed businesses to sell and purchase alcohol until March 31 without posting a license.

Mr. Graham, who was appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue in 2003, decided this year to change that policy and institute the Jan. 3 deadline in order to keep unlicensed establishments from selling alcohol.

Mr. Many said businesses were sent letters this year notifying them that the extended grace period would be going away and that they should turn in license applications as soon as possible.

"Some listened, some didn't," Mr. Many said.

Reach Damon Cline at (706) 823-3486 or damon.cline@augustachronicle.com.