Proposed Tweak to Happy Hour Ban Coming in February

A proposed change—albeit pretty slight—to the current Edina ordinance regarding , could possibly be made to allow some limited "drink specials," in effect loosening up on discounted prices for on-sale liquor.

City staff have been meeting with representatives of some Edina restaurants and the Minnesota Restaurant Association (MRA) to see if a modification can be worked out. This is expected to come before the city council on Feb. 21 for discussion and a possible vote.

"Our staff, including the city manager and police chief, have had meetings with the Restaurant Association," said Jennifer Bennerotte, Edina's communications director. "They have been good meetings and the Restautrant Association has provided a suggested change to the present ordinance."

The current ordinance reads “no licensee shall promote the consumption of wine or liquor on the licensed premises by any means or methods which result in prices which are less than those normally charged on the then regularly used menu, including, but not limited to, two-for-one or similar offers, prizes, coupons, games or barters.”

The proposed changed from the MRA reads "no licensee shall employ two-for-one (multiple pricing) or similar offers, prizes, coupons, games or barters to promote the consumption of wine or liquor on the licensee's premises."

The difference is subtle, but those involved in the negotiations say that under the MRA approach, establishments—which, in the case of Edina, are exclusively restaurants—could finally offer specials. For instance, a glass of beer that normally would sell for $3, could be sold for $2.50 during a specific time period.

Dan McElroy, head of the MRA, said his organization, which represents the vast majority of Edina restaurants, sees the suggested change as "very modest."

"We are not advocating, nor do we want to see, excessive consumption," McElroy said. "However, the current law is somewhat vague. Most places don’t have printed menu prices for alcoholic drinks because the pricing is computerized and posted on the cash register at the time of ordering."

McElroy said his organization is fine with retaining the major portion of the ordinance, which restricts other happy hour approaches.

"Our members feel this change would make them more competitive with restaurants in other nearby municipalities," he said.

David Burley, whose Blue Plate Restaurant Company owns the and also happens to be Vice President of the MRA, has been in on some of the meetings with city staff. Burley characterized the changes as minor and said they "would have no detrimental impact, particularly on neighborhoods in the city."

"I think we have had some good discussions," Burley said.

The , which the majority of Edina restaurants are members of, has so far remained neutral on the issue.

"Our government affairs committee feels it needs more clarification on the proposed ordinance change before it would recommend a position," said Chamber President Arrie Larsen Manti.