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New Proposal Limits Alcohol to 3 Theaters: Critic Wants Movie Theaters to Be Family Friendly, Alcohol Free

Posted on: Saturday, 25 March 2006, 12:00 CST

By Shawna Gamache, The Idaho Statesman, Boise

Mar. 25--Some movie theaters may still have a chance to offer patrons a glass of wine along with a tub of buttery popcorn. After the House killed a plan Wednesday that would have let local governments decide on theaters in their area, a house committee Friday agreed to move forward on a proposal that would make an exception for theaters like The Flicks, which has been selling beer and wine for decades.

House Minority Leader Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, crafted the new bill after her first effort failed Wednesday night on the House floor due to concerns that too many theaters would start engaging in the practice, leaving families without an alcohol-free film option.

"I think people are uncomfortable with expanding the law," Jaquet said. "I thought that making it a local option would have given people some comfort."

The Flick's, and Ketchum's Magic Lantern Cinema and Ski Time 4 Cinemas, would be the only theaters eligible to sell beer and wine under Jaquet's new bill. They've been selling beer and wine with liquor licenses for decades. They thought they were complying with the law until an Idaho State Police Alcohol Beverage Control investigation last year found otherwise. ISP asked the Legislature to rule on the issue.

"We're waiting to give the policy makers the chance to decide on this before we take any action," said Dan Charboneau, director of the ISP.

The new bill, that limits the sale of beer and wine to just the three theaters, will pass, according to Rep. Ken Roberts, R-McCall, who voted against the original bill.

"I think it alleviates some concerns," Roberts said.

In Oregon, certain movie theaters, like the eight owned by the McMenamins chain, sell beer, wine and spirits and are open only to patrons 21 and over. Large-box chains in the area, like those run by Regal, the largest chain in the Northwest, continue to be alcohol-free.

But Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover, who voted against the bill on Wednesday, said letting only those three theaters sell alcohol would open the door to other theaters petitioning for the same rights.

"That's one of the few places now where you can take your kids and not have to worry about someone abusing alcohol," he said.

But Richard Kessler, owner of Ketchum's Magic Lantern Cinema, said small theaters like The Flicks and Magic Lantern Cinema appeal to certain audiences, and movie theaters will not change their policies as a result of the bill.

"Most movie theaters, particularly the big chains, they don't want to sell beer and wine, they want to sell candy and popcorn because their margins are greater," Kessler said.

The House State Affairs Committee will consider the new bill Tuesday.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Idaho Statesman, Boise

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Source: The Idaho Statesman, Boise

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