Oliver: Revise outdated High Springs City Ordinance 10-2D for the prosperity of our town

Letter to the editor

It’s no secret that some residents have a longstanding dispute with the brewery in High Springs since its inauguration five years ago. However, recent events have cast a new light on the situation (the pleas heard from our local business owners at our recent City Commission meeting), highlighting the unintended consequences of an archaic City ordinance that is stifling not just the brewery but also the entire local business community during a time of outrageous inflation and economic hardship.

The current City Ordinance 10-2D, which mandates that businesses generating less than 51% of sales from food and nonalcoholic beverages must remain closed on Sundays, is a relic of the past that no longer serves the best interests of our community. This ordinance not only unfairly targets the High Springs brewery but also restricts economic growth and vitality in our town.

Here are some key points to consider in support of revising this outdated ordinance:

1. **Economic Impact**: The brewery’s forced closure on Sundays not only hurts its revenue but also has a ripple effect on other businesses in town. A thriving brewery can attract visitors, boosting foot traffic and sales for neighboring establishments; this is clearly evident from other areas in Alachua County where breweries have opened. All of the breweries in Alachua County have added such diversity and growth to many areas and have made positive impacts on the communities. They are also allowed to be competitive with the market and are not mandated to close on Sundays.

2. **Consumer Choice**: Consumers should have the freedom to choose where they spend their Sundays. By restricting the brewery’s operations, we are limiting residents’ and visitors’ choices for leisure and entertainment. There is no religious or moral reasoning behind the Sunday closure brought on by the ordinance, as every one of the sit-down restaurants in High Springs has a full bar with beer and liquor open on Sundays after 1 p.m. It is not the intent of the ordinance to prohibit drinking on Sunday. The ordinance is merely intended in its current form to target one specific business in High Springs, which is unfair.

3. **Community Support**: A very small group of long-term High Springs residents have personal grievances with the brewery. However, it’s essential to separate personal issues from the greater good of the community. Supporting the revision of this ordinance will benefit our town as a whole. Moving past this issue swiftly and effectively as a community will allow us to focus on larger issues troubling the city of High Springs and the community.

4. **Adaptation to Modern Times**: Our town needs to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and preferences. Many cities have already revised similar ordinances to promote economic growth and cater to evolving lifestyles. Again, every brewery in Alachua County is allowed to open on Sundays and have a full weekend of sales except for the High Springs Brewery. This keeps them from being competitive in the market and unjustly punishes them for deciding to call High Springs their home.

In conclusion, it’s time for us to set aside personal differences and focus on what will benefit the entire community. By advocating for the revision of Ordinance 10-2D, we can pave the way for a more vibrant and prosperous town that embraces inclusivity and economic progress. We can do it together as a whole community and show our neighbors, businesses, and visitors how much we support each other.

Your support in this matter is crucial, and I urge you to join us in pushing for positive change that will benefit all residents and businesses alike.

Please share the word and share this post! All we ask is for fair treatment and justice for the High Springs Brewery.

Jared Oliver, High Springs

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