(25 News)–A spirited discussion about allowing alcohol sales in Peoria movie Theaters almost never happened. When the discussion started, Councilman Dennis Cyr motioned to postpone until next month. He said they had just received the information and didn’t have time to digest it or research the topic. Councilman Chuck Grayeb agreed with Cyr and expressed his disappointment in the City’s presentation of a topic that hadn’t been given proper vetting. The motion failed, however, and the council began the discussion.
An attorney from AMC Theaters spoke before the council and answered questions. He said AMC operates 24 theaters in Illinois that serve alcohol and hundreds nationwide. “At AMC theaters. we take the service of alcohol very seriously we understand this is a privilege and not a right. We have over 24 theaters over the state of Illinois and several hundred through the country that serve this type of alcohol beverages to our patrons,” he said. AMC’s attorney also said their sales have gone up in locations that began serving alcohol.
Landmark Cinema manager Bryan Craig said they would welcome the opportunity to sell alcohol. But it wouldn’t come without challenges. “We’ll have to control scheduling a little bit tighter. We’ll have to have people that are over 21 that can serve alcohol and we’ll have to keep a tight inventory as well,” Craig explained. In Illinois an employee must be 21 to serve alcohol. Craig said a lot of their employees are under 21, but they should be able to adjust easily.
There are three movie theaters in Peoria that would be affected. Goodrich Willow Knolls, Landmark, and the Grand Prairie AMC. The theater at the Riverfront Museum already has a liquor license.
Also present at the council meeting was councilman Zachary Oyler. He missed the two previously scheduled regular council meetings after his arrest on July 30th. Police were called to his home by his wife where he was taken into custody for aggravated domestic battery. His next court appearance is September 11.
