Municipal council refuses alcohol permit in dry section

PARAGOULD, Ark. (KAIT) – Due to lack of motion, a proposal that would allow alcohol sales at the new Let’s Roll Paragould bowling alley failed Tuesday evening.

Ward 4 has been dry since the merger with the city of Paragould years ago.

The area has traditionally been free of alcohol sales, following a gentlemen’s agreement that lasted until 1998 when the Walmart Supercenter was built on West Kingshighway.

“We collected the necessary signatures and lined the streets on Election Day to vote out Ward 4,” said resident Keith White.

Many spoke out against Let’s Roll Paragould’s proposed private club license in the city council on Tuesday.

Pastor Dale Noe is not only concerned with keeping Ward 4 dry, but also ensures that the streets remain safe.

“The proximity to one of the most dangerous intersections in all of Greene County, and now you’re going to introduce alcohol into that situation,” Noe said.

The owners and board members of Let’s Roll Paragould and Boom Holdings have a successful history of operating bowling alleys that serve alcohol.

Jason Willett, a representative of Boom Holdings, said more than 100 people had expressed support for the license, although none of them live in Ward 4.

‘I used to, but you’re supposed to have a membership list. They’re inside and stuff like that. These are people who have expressed their desire to support the license, and it is a necessary requirement for the state to have these members,” Willett said.

Some residents expressed concern that the permit approval could lead to increased alcohol sales in Ward 4, allowing businesses like Kum and Go or Walmart to sell alcohol.

Mayor Josh Agee said that’s not the case at all.

“If we don’t vote, we have to pass it. Okay, that wouldn’t open up Ward 4 for, like, a liquor store or a gas station to start selling beer. What that would do is allow tree holdings to apply through the state for a private club,” says Mayor Agee. said.

Arkansas laws say that if the license is not approved, the company must wait a year before reapplying.

Since it failed due to lack of action, Mayor Agee said the company will have to wait a year before it can be brought forward again.

Willett said otherwise off camera but declined to comment further on the situation.

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