Would alcohol sales boost Old Fort's downtown?

As downtown eateries come and go, Old Fort's Main Street continues to change.
Some would say that more change needs to happen if the town's central business location is to continue and perhaps thrive. That could include serving alcohol in Old Fort's restaurants.
This Saturday, the Sweet Stop in Old Fort will do business for the last time after four years of serving up breakfast and lunch to hungry customers. Owner Archie Smith said he's closing the eatery at 23 E. Main St. so he can retire and take it easy.
"I want to do a few things before I get too old," he said. "It's not because of the economy. Business is good."
Despite some rumors, nearby Whistle Stop Pizza and Subs will not be closing its doors. Twillia Moore, who co-owns the business, said her doors will remain open.
Recently, the owners of the Wild Moose Steak & Grill closed their doors at 5 E. Main St. in Old Fort with the intention of moving their business to Marion. That closing and the end of the Sweet Stop could leave a void in downtown Old Fort when it comes to eating establishments.
The town will continue to have other places like Mustard's Last Stand, Four Oaks Fish Camp, Hardee's and McDonald's. But the eateries along Main Street in Old Fort are an important part of the downtown atmosphere that is attractive to both locals and tourists alike. Some believe that the atmosphere could be made even better.
The Appalachian Artisan Society (TAAS) Gallery operates the Catawba Vale Café, which has become a popular eating and gathering place. Dru and Bev Heldman jointly operate TAAS Gallery and the café. Lunch is served daily there Monday through Saturday. The Catawba Vale Café offers sandwiches, salads, wraps and fresh-brewed coffee.
The café has been in operation for three years. But the Heldmans have had plans to open a larger and more formal eatery in downtown Old Fort. So far, those plans have not yet come to fruition.
"We're waiting on banks," said Bev Heldman. "We're just going to hold on to what we've got now."
Jerry Wheeler, president of the Old Fort Chamber of Commerce, said he and other chamber leaders know why the town cannot hold on to its restaurants while also trying to attract new ones.
"There's several reasons for this," he said.
Restaurants can draw people, but the town is hindered by the lack of alcohol sales, said Wheeler. If eateries in Old Fort could serve beer, wine and mixed drinks, this would make the downtown even more attractive.
"A lot of people like to sit down and have a drink with a meal," said Wheeler. "I don't understand why we can't do that. It's a crying shame. That is one of the biggest drawbacks we have."
Wheeler added his father was a minister and he knows people have very strong feelings about this issue. Wheeler also owns and operates the Sky Island Retreat and Campground. He said he has to inform people coming to stay at his campground that Old Fort is dry.
In recent years, voters in Marion, Spruce Pine and Valdese have all approved alcohol sales in an attempt to boost their local economies.
"Sooner or later it's going to happen," said Wheeler.
He added a lot of people who live in upscale housing developments, like Gateway Mountain, are going elsewhere when they want to dine out.
"All of the people who have the money are going to Asheville or Marion," said Wheeler. "It causes a lot of people to drive who shouldn't be driving."
Wheeler said he would support a petition drive to bring the issue to a vote. He has another year as president of the Old Fort chamber.
"I would love to get it up for a vote," he added.
Kim Welborn, director of the McDowell County Board of Elections, said she couldn't remember a referendum on alcohol sales being held in Old Fort. In order to have one, either the town Board of Aldermen has to call for a referendum, like the Marion City Council did, or enough signatures have to be gathered on a petition. That petition must have the signatures of at least 35 percent of the registered voters in Old Fort, or 234 signatures, according to Welborn.
In addition to restaurants serving alcohol, Wheeler said he would like to see other things that could boost downtown Old Fort. He would like to shut down Railroad Street and have vendors out there on a nice warm day selling their items. That would bring more pedestrian traffic to the downtown and they could see and enjoy what Old Fort has to offer.
"Take pride in what we've got in our little town," he said.