Kansas City is banning mini booze bottles, but not everywhere
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A common sight downtown. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
Kansas City last week banned the sale of airplane liquor bottles and other single-serve alcoholic beverages in specific regions of the city — for now.
Why it matters: Proponents say the new ordinance will make neighborhoods safer and reduce blight, while opponents questioned its effectiveness and toll on businesses.
Driving the news: Councilmembers voted 7-6 on Thursday, with Mayor Quinton Lucas tipping the scales.
- Lucas cosponsored the ordinance with 3rd District Councilmember Melissa Robinson.
What's inside: The new rule defines five "corridors" in the city that it says are impacted by drunkenness and alcohol-related crime: two areas in the East Side around Independence and Prospect avenues, downtown, Midtown, and south KC along Blue Ridge Boulevard.
- It prohibits the sale of any bottle 6.8 ounces or less containing 35% alcohol or more.
- It also bans the sale of "any malt beverage" in individual servings of 40 ounces or less. That means single beer servings, as well as Fireball.
Context: Some cities, including Chicago, have citywide bans against airplane liquor bottles.
- Other cities, like San Francisco and Seattle, have used the targeted approach for specific areas.
- Some restrictions have shown decreasing rates of crime and calls for first responders, while other results appear mixed.
What they're saying: "The goal here is targeted, evidence-based intervention," Lucas' office said in a statement to Axios.
- Robinson, whose district includes Independence and Prospect avenues, said at the council meeting last week that "convenience stores are not the enemy here" but the liquor sales hurt neighborhoods' quality of life.
- She said the ordinance aligns with the city's violence prevention blueprint, which includes further regulating alcohol.
The other side: 4th District At-Large Councilmember Crispin Rea, who represents several affected areas, said targeting specific neighborhoods and businesses is bad policy. He suggested citywide regulation through the city's Regulated Industries Division.
- "I actually think this will backfire in terms of public safety," 1st District Councilmember Nathan Willett said, adding that including cans of beer in the ban would make people turn to harder alcohol.
- Local liquor and convenience store owners say the products account for 30% to 50% of their sales, the Kansas City Star reported.
What we're watching: Missouri lawmakers introduced language last week that would void any local alcohol law, adding it to an existing unrelated House bill.
- It was passed out of committee but has not been scheduled for a full vote.