Fourteen Montague Co. Businesses Apply for Alcohol Permits
By: Melissa Foy
Updated: January 10, 2012
The minute voters passed three alcohol-related measures on November's primary ballot, Montague County officials got to work.
"We had to get our zoning ordinances worked up and passed," Pat Polk, mayor of Bowie, says.
Officials say after those propositions were adopted by the county commissioners, businesses started applying for alcohol permits almost immediately.
Fourteen Montague County businesses have applied for permits.
Half of those came from Bowie.
"I think that's what drove the election to be approved for alcohol because of the economic impact it would have on us," Polk says.
TABC representatives say the Star Travel Center truck stop located at the intersection of Highway 287 and 81 was the first bowie business to get all their paperwork submitted.
They say they expect that alcohol permit approved sometime this week.
"Once you have been issued a permit or a license from TABC, you can buy and sell alcoholic beverages. The next step would be contacting a wholesaler and placing an order," Carolyn Beck, TABC director of communications and governmental relations, says.
TABC representatives say they're close to having the permits ready for seven businesses in Bowie, including two Allsup's locations, Walmart, Dos Chiles mexican restaurant, Spicy's Bar, Sunset Gas and Grill, and Brookshire's.
Right now, Bowie doesn't have a specific purpose set aside for the alcohol tax, but Polk says she hopes the extra money helps the city improve roads and complete other projects.
"We had to get our zoning ordinances worked up and passed," Pat Polk, mayor of Bowie, says.
Officials say after those propositions were adopted by the county commissioners, businesses started applying for alcohol permits almost immediately.
Fourteen Montague County businesses have applied for permits.
Half of those came from Bowie.
"I think that's what drove the election to be approved for alcohol because of the economic impact it would have on us," Polk says.
TABC representatives say the Star Travel Center truck stop located at the intersection of Highway 287 and 81 was the first bowie business to get all their paperwork submitted.
They say they expect that alcohol permit approved sometime this week.
"Once you have been issued a permit or a license from TABC, you can buy and sell alcoholic beverages. The next step would be contacting a wholesaler and placing an order," Carolyn Beck, TABC director of communications and governmental relations, says.
TABC representatives say they're close to having the permits ready for seven businesses in Bowie, including two Allsup's locations, Walmart, Dos Chiles mexican restaurant, Spicy's Bar, Sunset Gas and Grill, and Brookshire's.
Right now, Bowie doesn't have a specific purpose set aside for the alcohol tax, but Polk says she hopes the extra money helps the city improve roads and complete other projects.
