A Decade of Drinks in Saline County: Fostering New Business
Saline County has experienced a decade of significant development since approving alcohol sales in 2015. This shift has led to a wave of new businesses and projects that are transforming the area.
New Businesses and Projects
The county has seen substantial growth, with various entertainment venues, retail liquor stores, and dining establishments. One such venture is Different Dough Pizza Co. in Bryant, owned by Brian Krikorian. Krikorian’s passion for pizza was ignited from a young age, and after traveling the country to learn the art of dough, he brought his craft back home.
“When someone walks in the door right after I open, it’s just a brand new light is lit up in me,” Krikorian said, reflecting on the excitement of starting his own business
Debi Howell, store manager of Alcoa Wine and Spirits in Benton, has witnessed the business boom over the past decade. She notes the growth of locally owned businesses and the preference for spending money locally
Economic Impact
The legalizing of retail alcohol sales has had a profound economic impact on Saline County. According to reports, the construction of 11 new liquor stores would generate property taxes, creating ongoing revenue streams for the county and its districts
The annual retail gap for full-service restaurants was approximately ,079,532 in 2013. If all the retail demand was met, the county would have received up to ,398 in additional tax revenues that year
The economic multipliers and inter-industry coefficients used to estimate the economic impact show that such activity generated ,324,158 in economic activity for the year 2013. This economic activity resulted in 141.7 jobs with a labor income of ,989,376
Local Economy Transformation
Mayor Tom Farmer of Benton acknowledged the positive impact of alcohol sales on the local economy. He noted that allowing alcohol sales has brought new people into the town and kept residents there
Despite the increase in business, Mayor Farmer also mentioned that there hasn’t been an uptick in crime, although there has been a rise in panhandling. This has prompted the enactment of ordinances to address these issues
Saline County is not only fostering new businesses but also encouraging creative entrepreneurship. For instance, Tony Fry, the founder of Arkansas’ first meadery, has turned his passion for fermentation and beekeeping into a successful venture
Fry started his meadery in a barn on his Saline County acreage in 2021, initially producing just a few bottles. Today, his mead is available in five Arkansas liquor stores, with plans to expand further
“Mead takes considerable honey to produce,” Fry explained. “But I source all my honey locally from a beekeeper in Quitman. His honey is really good.” Fry’s meadery has not only generated buzz but also contributed to the local economy through its unique offerings
Future Developments
The city of Saline is brewing up an exciting new project – a social district on South Ann Arbor Street. This designated outdoor area, jointly managed by the city and Saline Main Street, will allow folks to enjoy “to-go” alcoholic beverages from participating businesses
The district’s boundaries will be clearly marked with signage and movable barriers once approved by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. The social district aims to enhance the local economy and create a more vibrant social scene for citizens and downtown businesses alike
The hours for the social district will be Monday – Thursday: 3 pm – 10 pm, and Friday – Sunday: 9 am – 10 pm. Participating businesses must go through their own approval process before the district can operate.
As Saline County approaches the 10-year anniversary of its decision to allow alcohol sales, these developments signal continued momentum in the county’s growth and transformation ###
