NC: Alcohol sales: Steps Cherokee businesses will have to take to serve up more spirits
by Rex Hodge
September 8, 2021
CHEROKEE, N.C. (WLOS) — Big changes are coming to Cherokee. For years, there’s been only limited availability of alcohol on the Qualla Boundary. But a recent vote of the people is changing that.
Three alcohol referenda passed in Cherokee about a week ago. But before any alcohol can be served at restaurants, stores or hotels, there are several steps that need to be accomplished first.
The chairman of Cherokee’s ABC Commission said he was surprised with the outcome.
“You have to have at least 30% to have a valid referendum election. And this time we had 43%,” Pepper Taylor said.
Taylor said before anything changes on the boundary, the Tribal Elections Board must certify the results. But, he said, the vote of the people shows approval for beer sales at stores.
“Grocery stores, convenience stores, anybody who sells food to-go. It has to be sold to-go for off-premises not on-premise consumption,” Taylor said.
Voters also approved beer and wine sales at sit-down restaurants and hotels.
“Thirty percent has to come from food. Your revenue has to come from food, and you have to have at least 36 seats of indoor seats,” Taylor said.
And there was approval for a tribal ABC store.
“More revenue. for the tribe that’s needed for services,” Taylor said.
“It means more revenue for the restaurant,” said Shayna George, who manages the Osaka Sushi Bar and Asian Cuisine restaurant in Cherokee.
“It will bring in sake, which is something we get a lot of requests for, and we have to turn down,” she said.
But that’s changing.
George knows the long history of resistance to alcohol in Cherokee. She said there are pros and cons but respects the recent vote to expand its availability.
“As long as the vote came from the people. It’s available just right off the boundary and at the casino. So, maybe it will save some drinking and driving deaths and accidents,” she said.
Taylor said several businesses are inquiring to sell alcohol. He said state permitting rules apply.
“When you’re applying for a permit on the boundary, it’s no different than applying for it in Bryson City or Sylva,” Taylor said.
Background checks and premise and fire inspections are also required.
Taylor said alcohol revenue may encourage more brand restaurants to locate in Cherokee.
Of course, that certification must happen first from the Tribal Board of Elections, and Taylor said that still could take days or weeks.