The Juneau Assembly took a significant step this week toward expanding the number of alcohol licenses available in the city, potentially allowing more restaurants to serve beer and wine and providing a new revenue stream for local artists. On Monday, the Assembly voted to petition the Alaska State Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC Board) to approve an increase in the number of Restaurant or Eating Place Licenses, which permit businesses to serve alcohol.
Currently, Juneau has reached its state-mandated limit for alcohol licenses based on the city’s population. However, some local business owners and arts advocates argue that the city’s unique influx of tourists, particularly during the summer cruise season, justifies the need for more licenses.
Richard Bloomquist, co-owner of the restaurant Mar y Sol, said that not having an alcohol license costs his business potential customers. “Multiple times per week, customers come to our restaurant, look at the menu, and leave because we do not serve beer or wine,” he explained. Bloomquist added that while locals are familiar with the menu, tourists tend to expect alcohol options, especially during the busy summer months.
The petition is part of a broader effort to address a shift in state alcohol laws. A recent change allows cities like Juneau to petition the ABC Board for additional licenses based on local demand. According to Zach Pease, technical director for the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council, expanding the number of licenses could provide more affordable venues for local artists.
“More beer and wine licenses would allow restaurants and other venues to host arts events and provide accessible spaces for emerging artists on tight budgets,” Pease testified during the Assembly meeting. He noted that larger venues like Centennial Hall are often booked well in advance and can be too expensive for smaller artists, leaving local bars as the only alternative. However, bars are not always ideal settings for families or those who prefer not to drink.
Local musician and event producer Taylor Vidic also voiced support for the proposal, emphasizing the need for diverse revenue streams to sustain the arts community. “Restaurants that can serve alcohol provide an additional source of income to support artists and ensure they are compensated fairly for their work,” she said.
Despite the support for additional licenses, some local business owners are wary of the change. Mitch Falk, owner of Bullwinkle’s Pizza, expressed concern that increasing the number of licenses would devalue the market for existing licenses, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars to purchase. “If we’re trying to give these licenses away, it puts businesses that have already invested in them at an unfair disadvantage,” Falk said.
Originally, the Assembly had proposed adding 20 new licenses, which would have nearly doubled the number currently available in Juneau. However, the final petition only calls for eight additional licenses, reflecting a compromise between those who support expansion and those concerned about market equity.
The petition now goes to the Alaska State Alcoholic Beverage Control Board for approval. If granted, the new licenses could open up opportunities for both local businesses and artists, contributing to the city’s vibrant cultural scene.
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