PEORIA, Ill. — Local movie theaters now have the option to sell alcohol at the concession stands.
The Peoria City Council Tuesday night approved a change to the ordinance that will allow movie theaters to sell alcohol.
The change was approved on an 8-2 vote, with council members Chuck Grayeb and Rita Ali voting no.
Ali said she still has some concerns with allowing alcohol sales at movie theaters, especially with kids.
“There’s many children and teenagers, I would say more so teenagers, that go to theaters un-escorted,” Ali said. “It’s a family atmosphere and many adults send their children to the movies thinking it is a safe, family environment.”
Ali said that she would not have objected if the alcohol was sold away from the concessions stands in a separate spot. That was one of the options presented to the council at a previous meeting. However, the majority of the council voted for the alcohol sales to be allowed at the concession stand.
Even though the ordinance was approved, Ali hopes there will be increased security measures.
“I hope there are precautions taken to protect the children, to make sure that there’s no crossover in terms of alcohol used by youngsters in our theaters,” Ali said. “And, then no intoxicated individuals that misbehave. So I hope there’s tighter security.”
Even though there was an approval from the council, there is still a process for theaters wishing to participate in selling alcohol at the stands.
“The organizations still have to go through the process of getting a liquor license in order to sell the alcohol. So this was step one that give the green light,” Ali said.
