Sip N’ Shop Ordinance Passes in Lavonia With Some Changes

The City of Lavonia now has a new alcohol ordinance that addresses sip n’ shop events at local retailers.

At the May City Council meeting Monday, members voted to pass the Incidental Alcohol ordinance, after the second reading but with certain amendments.

Mayor Courtney Umbehant said before the vote that he received an email from a citizen with suggestions for the new ordinance.

One suggestion was limiting the amount of beer or wine per person and limiting the number of times a business could offer sip n’ shops.

Councilman Andrew Murphy suggested limiting sip n’ shop events to no more than five times a month.

Other discussions centered around how much alcohol to allow.

City Attorney Jay Doss said he researched similar ordinances in other communities and found that 8-16oz was standard.

However, in an email to the Mayor, that same citizen recommended no more than 4 oz. per customer.

After some discussion, the council voted to limit the amount of beer or wine served to no more than 8 oz or the equivalent of one beer or two glasses of wine and to be served in a cup only, not in a can or bottle.

Councilman Eddie Floyd questioned whether the new ordinance would affect the local hotels, but City Manager Charles Cawthon said there is already a similar ordinance in place specifically for hotels.