KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Starting Wednesday, Kissimmee downtown businesses need a special permit to serve alcohol until 2 a.m.
In July, commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the ordinance, which makes last call at midnight unless businesses have a special permit to allow alcohol sales until 2 a.m.
It is a move some bar owners felt would drive business to other areas.
“If we do this, Kissimmee is a destination; they’ll just leave. That’s what they’ll do,” said one business owner during a Kissimmee City Commission meeting.
[PAST VIDEO: Kissimmee debates midnight last-call policy]
The permit costs $250 and gives the chief of police the ability to suspend a permit if there is an incident or safety concern.
Angel Ayala, who has lived in Kissimmee for 15 years, said he does not see anything wrong with the permit.
“I don’t see the negatives; on the contrary, it seems to be very positive,” Ayala said. “It would allow for more control.”
Others, like Luis Vigil, agree and think that the last call should be even earlier.
“Around 10:10 p.m. That’s the correct time,” Vigil said.
This is not the only change downtown bars have had to adapt to recently. Last month, the commission approved a change to its noise ordinance requiring bars to lower their music volumes.