Even Kangaroo could cater under a proposed change to Gainesville’s alcoholic beverage ordinances.

The alteration would make it possible for license holders in the city to apply to sell alcohol off premises.

Debbie Jones, Gainesville’s city marshal, proposed the changes to the City Council last week after downtown business owner Scott Dixon and members of Main Street Gainesville approached her about the change earlier this year.

Jones said the change mirrors state law for the most part, and allows anyone in the city with an alcoholic beverage
license to apply for a catering permit that would allow them to sell alcohol outside of their businesses.

Dixon, who attended the meeting in which Jones proposed the changes to the City Council, said the ability to use his alcoholic beverage license elsewhere will make Scott’s On the Square’s catering operation more competitive.

"We cater multiple times a week for one thing or another," Dixon said. "... These changes to the Gainesville code allow us to have a more level playing field with other municipalities closer to us so we’re able to offer similar services in our community."

But the measure does not just affect restaurants such as Dixon’s; it affects all businesses that are licensed to sell or serve alcoholic beverages.

"It affects liquor stores, restaurants — even Kangaroo could go get one," Jones said.

Though Jones said she does not imagine that convenience and liquor stores will take much interest in the ability to apply for catering permits, the ordinance would allow them to.

"It’s available for all of them," Jones said. "I don’t anticipate all of them wanting to do it, but it is another privilege they would have out there."

The ordinance would not allow those alcohol license holders to sell anything off premises that they are not permitted to sell on premises, however.

For example, a store that is only licensed to sell beer and wine could not sell anything besides beer and wine at permitted events off premises.

If the measure is approved, license holders who are granted a catering permit would still have to apply for a permit for each catering event 10 days in advance of the event. The proposed fees for the permits are $50 to sell or serve beer off premises, $50 to sell or serve wine off premises and $100 for liquor.

If approved by the City Council, the measure would take effect immediately. The final vote on the ordinance is scheduled for July 21.