|
Sunday, July 20, 2008 12:06 AM
 E-mail to a friend
By Mark Wineka
mwineka@salisburypost.com
Extreme Motorcycles, a dealership at 610 W. Ritchie Road next to Interstate 85, will be allowed to sell beer.
Salisbury City Council granted a special-use permit to the company Tuesday.
Owner Dirk Newsome said he wanted to be able to sell beer on his premises as part of "event-type marketing" on Thursdays through Saturday.
Newsome said he doesn't mean to set up a nightclub. Rather, he wants to be able to offer refreshment to his visitors. He added it would be "a real simple deal,"' involving a countertop and some cans of beer in a cooler.
The motorcycle dealership's hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.
The Planning Board had voted 10-0 previously in favor of a special-use permit for the business.
Some council members expressed reservations before the final approving vote.
Councilman Mark Lewis said he likes beer and motorcycles "but something doesn't seem right" about the request. He said he was worried about the co-existence of a "bar" with a vehicle dealership.
But he also noted that Salisbury could have an event or establishment downtown that sells beer, and people have to drive to and from that location, too.
A motorcycle dealership is different than a car dealership, Newsome said. Often, with motorcycles, people are returning to the store regularly, hanging out and being part of a different culture, he said.
Mayor Pro Tem Paul Woodson said he would be concerned about a customer's drinking four or five beers, driving away from the dealership and being involved in a fatal wreck on the interstate.
"The truth is," Lewis said, "we run that risk with any place" that sells alcohol.
"That risk is always there," he said.
Newsome emphasized he would not approach his sale of beer with an "aloof attitude."
Councilman William "Pete" Kennedy noted that the Land Development Ordinance requires specific evidence against the request. One requirement — that the sale of alcohol not be permitted within 500 feet of a school — was met.
Koontz Elementary School is across the interstate and some 2,000 feet away.
"I don't see how, frankly, we can deny it," Kennedy said.
The property's Highway Business zoning allows the use of "bar/tavern/nightclub," which is defined as a business "where alcoholic beverages are sold for on-site consumption, which are not part of a larger restaurant."
Woodson said the city could always revoke the special-use permit if it determines that the alcohol-selling privilege is being abused.
Comments (19)
What do you think? Post your comment below.
Want to do more than that? Start your own blog and post videos and photos at SalisburyPostables.com.
Comments
(Requires free registration.)
SalisburyPost.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse.
SalisburyPost.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not SalisburyPost.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please send us an email to webmaster@salisburypost.com with the article title and offensive post's contents and we will review it for possible removal.
Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
MB
WWJD : Wednesday, July 23, 2008 8:51 AM
I THOUGHT YOUR BUSINESS PRATICE WAS TO BE PLEASING TO GOD? IT WOULD BE NICE TO MEET AN OWNER THAT WOULD STAND BY WHAT HE PREACHES AND JUST GET BACK TO THE SIMPLE ANSWER, THE BEST WAY TO REACH YOUR GOALS ARE TO HELP OTHERS WITH THERES. WHEN YOUR FAIR AND HONEST AND YOU TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING YOU ARE BLESSED. P.S. I HOPE THE BEST FOR THE COMPANY BECAUSE THE BASIC IDEA WAS A GOOD ONE!!!!
Report Abuse
WISE UP : Wednesday, July 23, 2008 7:36 AM
Not a good idea at all. The owner in the previous comment said he has made alot of mistakes. This one could cost some one their life. Motorcycles and beer ???? Just a couple of beers will get you a DUI. Extreme is condoning drinking and riding.
Report Abuse
: Monday, July 21, 2008 8:43 PM
Im 53 years old i went in there a few weeks back looking to buy a new bike with gas being so high. Well i could not find a salesman that wanted to help me at all.If a few beers will help them help me i'm all for it. I just think its a bad idea and a poor way to get sales.
Report Abuse
Lighten Up!
DONT BE STUPID! : Monday, July 21, 2008 4:04 PM
All you people writing in thinking that Extreme is going to allow people to get DRUNK and drive off on a bike needs to check your IQ (or lack thereof).... This is NO different than a restaurant serving a cold drink to a thrisy patron... oh, and how to you get to a restaurant? YOU DRIVE!!!! DUH! How is that different than having a motorcycle as transportation? I think the owner has a well established business and has proven himself in this community and would not put his customers or members of this community in danger. Lighten up people..... maybe some folks just need something to COMPLAIN about (as always).
Report Abuse
To: Redneck Racist : Monday, July 21, 2008 2:38 PM
¡POR FAVOR!
Report Abuse
: Monday, July 21, 2008 2:19 PM
A MOTORCYCLE DEALERSHIP SERVING BEER FOR WHATEVER REASON IS NOT A GOOD THING.
Report Abuse
: Monday, July 21, 2008 1:16 PM
EVERYONE IS GETTING UPSET ABOUT A DEALERSHIP SELLING BEER, WHY DONT YOU GET UPSET ABOUT MEXICANS COMING TO OUR COUNTRY, OPENING A RESTURANT AND SELLING ALCOHOL TO OUR UNGERAGED KIDS. THAT IS HAPPENING EVERYDAY.
Report Abuse
Mad rider
Motorcycles and beer don't mis : Monday, July 21, 2008 1:12 PM
Wow!! Get them drunk and let them pull off on their motorcycle. Wow!! That is really sad. Why don't they just open a bar. I just lost a lot of respect for them. And yes I am a rider!! I will no longer spend my money at that bar!!
Report Abuse
: Monday, July 21, 2008 12:38 PM
What about the property rights arguments? Are you going to deny this man the full legal use of his property?
Report Abuse
DIRK NEWSOME, OWNER OF EXTREME MOTORCYCLES
Dirk Newsome, Owner of Extreme Motorcycles : Monday, July 21, 2008 8:45 AM
THE SALE OF BEER AT THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE MONITORED VERY CAREFULLY. THIS IS NOT A SITUATION WHERE FOLKS WILL BE PERMITTED TO COME TO THE STORE AND JUST DRINK FOR HOURS ON END. IT IS SIMPLY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A COLD REFRESHMENT WHILE THEY STOP BY FOR A VISIT. IT IS NOT ABOUT MAKING MONEY EITHER. I DONT ANTICIPATE IT BEING A SITUATION WHERE PEOPLE ARE LINED UP OUT THE DOOR TO PURCHASE A BEER. IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT APPEARS LIKE IT IS GETTING OUT OF HAND WE WILL JUST STOP SELLING BEER. I AM OF THE OPINION THAT PEOPLE WILL USE THEIR HEAD, MYSELF INCLUDED, WHEN IT COMES TO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION. I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ONE ASSUMES ANYTHING. SO WE WILL NOT MAKE THE ASSUMPTION THAT WE WONT HAVE TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE BEER DRINKING! OUR CORE BUSINESS IS NOT CHANGING. WE ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF SELLING AND SERVICING MOTORCYCLES AND ATV'S. WE ARE NOT IN THE BAR/NIGHTCLUB BUSINESS. THIS WILL NOT BE A BIKER BAR! IT IS A DEALERSHIP WHERE YOU CAN GET A COLD BEER. THAT IS IT. I AM SENSATIVE TO THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS AND I RESPECT THOSE COMMENTS. I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR TO APPLYING FOR THE PERMIT. WHAT WILL DETERMINE IF IT IS A GOOD OR BAD IDEA IS HOW OUR CUSTOMERS DEAL WITH IT ONCE THE PERMIT IS ISSUED. IF THE SALE OF BEER BACKFIRES ON ME I WILL SIMPLY STOP SELLING IT! THE PLAN IS FOR FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO GET A SNACK(HOT DOG) AND/OR A COLD DRINK, (SODA OR BEER) WHILE THEIR BIKE IS BEING SERVICED OR WHILE THEY ARE WAITING TO FOR APPROVAL FOR THEIR NEW BIKE/ATV. THIS IS A FAMILY FRIENDLY ENVIORNMENT. I SEE IT AS NO DIFFERENT THAN A FAMILY COOK OUT TYPE OF ATMOSPHERE. MOST COOK OUTS HAVE A COOLER WITH COLD BEER. I JUST WANT TO OFFER IT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND DO SO WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF THE LAW. I HAVE BEEN WRONG PLENTY OF TIMES IN THE PAST. I AM DEFINATELY NOT A STRANGER TO MAKING MISTAKES. IF I DISCOVER THAT THIS IS ONE OF MY MANY MISTAKES I WILL STOP DOING IT. UNTIL THEN I AM GOING TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS RESPONSIBILITY AND HOPE THAT IT WORKS OUT THE WAY I HAVE PLANNED.
Report Abuse
Regrettable decision indeed : Monday, July 21, 2008 8:00 AM
This will prove to have been a regrettable decision in the long run. The reason we won't see the car dealerships along Jake Alexander lining up for this foolishness is that the brand names they represent wouldn't allow it. Only Salisbury, where they're still reeling over the Smokeout, would allow such a foolhearty venture within its jurisdiction.
Report Abuse
Closing the Doors at Extreme : Monday, July 21, 2008 7:07 AM
It appears that the wheels (no pun intended) are already in motion for Extreme Motorcycles to have a "Going out of business SALE!" What vehicle business owner would (in their RIGHT mind) want permission to sell alcohol. Aparently one who doesn't know business law very well. With only one owner listed in the article I have to assume that the business is a sole proprietorship. As such a business, Mr. Newsome (as sole owner) will alone bear the burden of any and all loses or liabilities incurred by the business. Cerainly serving alcohol for any business is a potential liability, but Extreme just allowed themselves to be WIDE OPEN for liability civil suits for negligence. Perhaps it will never happen, but if you already have a stable and profitable business, why would you expand your risk vulnerability to make a few (very few) dollars on alcohol sales. Did anyone notify adjoing property owners of the intent to have alcohol sales, was the intent posted within media outlets to better inform citizens of the intent? It certainly doesn't seem that this was as transparnet as it could have been! Sure you can have elementary arguments for the sales, but if you (the business owner and City Council) really put an educated thought in to this issue - you would REVOKE the permit without hesitation or urging by the community!
Report Abuse
: Sunday, July 20, 2008 5:34 PM
drunks on motorcycles. yeah, that's always a great combo
Report Abuse
Extreme Bar : Sunday, July 20, 2008 7:31 AM
A vehicle dealership is no different than a motorcyle dealership.If you are drinking you get on the bike and drive away and hope they don't get killed or kill someone, Why don't we just call it the Extreme Bar?
Report Abuse
Driving & Drinking has gone to the EXTREME : Sunday, July 20, 2008 7:23 AM
I just dont understand why they would allow this!
Report Abuse
Buster
Darwin wins again : Sunday, July 20, 2008 6:22 AM
Riding a motorcycle is dangerous enough. Now we have a motorcyle dealership serving alcohol?? Better yet, why not start selling caskets? Extreme Alcohol,Caskets and Bikes yeah.....it has a nice ring to it.
Report Abuse
low IQ : Sunday, July 20, 2008 6:13 AM
The Councilman says "he likes beer and motorcycles." Beer and motorcycles????? Umm.....yeah. That's real smart.....
Report Abuse
NOT RIGHT : Sunday, July 20, 2008 5:19 AM
IT IS A SAD DAY WHEN EXTREME MOTORCYCLES START'S SELLING BEER SO WE CAN HAVE MORE DRUNK DRIVER'S ON THE ROAD.WHEN YOU SAY SOMETHING IS JUST NOT RIGHT ABOUT THIS THAN YOU KNOW THIS IS WRONG. IF THIS CAN HAPPEN THEN THE CAR DEALER'S CAN DO THE SAME THING, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. SHAME ON EVERYONE WHO VOTED THIS IN AND SHAME ON EXTREME MOTORCYCLES FOR GOING TOO THE EXTREME
Report Abuse
Extreme : Sunday, July 20, 2008 3:32 AM
Sure way for the motorcycle shop to make a killing, no doubt. But, I hope it is regulated by the owners, concerning the number of beers the customers have at these events. A drunk motorcycle rider is a potention organ donor, as shown in the Myrtle Beach areas fatalities of bike week. Of course bikers can go any where, get drunk, just like non bikers and get on the road. In order to keep events enjoyable and safe I hope extreme hass a limit sytem they can maintain, and remembers they can be sued, just like restuarants and bars, for selling to persons already intoxicated, who later had an accident.
Report Abuse
|
Police identify 20-year-old man killed in shooting with officers
