One more reason to visit Marion County
Marion County voters have spoken. Restaurants in Marion County may now have an opportunity to serve alcoholic beverages, other than beer, without patrons purchasing a membership.
Individual cities now will decide whether to pass an ordinance to allow such operations.
Residents knew the passage of the liquor-by-the-drink issue wasn't going to make or break the county but it may bring additional revenue and, more importantly, visitors to our county.
It's interesting when county residents patronize restaurants in McPherson, Newton, or Wichita.
The majority of those restaurants sell alcoholic beverages with a meal but we don't feel compelled to drink nor do we feel compelled to not eat there because of the liquor.
Most restaurant patrons do not go to a restaurant for a raucous time, drinking until it closes. As a matter of fact, few people have more than one drink with dinner.
Guess what patrons do before and after they dine? They spend time and money in the community.
Many downtown businesses are open as a result of a restaurant. Hours of operation and activities are coordinated to facilitate visitors who eat at restaurants.
Most people do not make a restaurant a destination just because it serves alcohol, but it is "one more reason" to go there.
When "one more reason" adds up with other "one more reasons," tourists are more likely to come to our county and communities.
This gives tourists "one more reason" to visit Marion County.
— SUSAN BERG
