CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – An unexpected but welcome development for those bar and restaurant owners who came out to Tuesday’s council meeting. A decision made to table an ordinance requiring businesses to close at 2 a.m. means for now, those working the night shift can still enjoy an after-work drink in Horry County.
Several people showed up at Tuesday’s meeting, representing bars and restaurants from all around the county. They say the 2 a.m. closing ordinance is not just unfair, it’s bad for business.
Tuesday night’s public comment was to follow a second reading of the ordinance.
Council originally endorsed the idea because of fears that late-night bar closings put police and first responders in unnecessary danger. Now, council wants to table the issue and study how nuisance laws could better punish bars and restaurants that cause problems without putting overbearing rules on law-abiding businesses.
Owners like James Mulvanerton, who owns Magoo’s Sports and Spirits, were glad to hear the news and say late-night crowds are where they make their money.
“It’s well worth it for us to stay open after-hours. My business is well known for great food, and we serve food until 3 am. That’s appreciated by many locals and many in the service industry,” Mulvanerton said. “It’s their happy hour. When you get off work at midnight you can come by Magoo’s and have a beer or hang out just like normal day people do, so we really don’t wanna lose that.”
“I have a lot of employees that rely on that,” he added.
Council can, with a two-thirds majority, vote at any time to put an issue back on the table and consider it. Those council members who spoke Tuesday night say they’re only going to do that after studying ways to punish nuisance businesses while still allowing hospitality and late-shift workers to blow off some steam after hours.
Discussion on other items including an ordinance on tiny houses and Ride III funding was pushed to the next council meeting.
