Last call may soon come hours earlier in West Palm Beach.
In response to late night incidents at downtown bars, city leaders proposed ending liquor service at 2 am instead of 4 am.
Bar owners and city leaders met Thursday afternoon to discuss the possible change for the third time since December.
Aside from drawing people to downtown, members of the recently formed merchant task force point out service until 4 am also draws businesses.
"The longer you can operate in hours (the more) it increases your bottom line," said Sam Sanchez, who owns seven restaurants in Chicago, one in California and Banco Cantina, a resaurant about to open at 114 S. Olive Street in West Palm Beach.
"Banco Cantina used to be a bank here. So it's a landmark status building" which Sanchez says costs between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000 to renovate.
It's an investment he decided was worthwhile partly because he knew he could sell high-end tequila and Mexican food until 4 am. Since learning there's a chance that could change, Sanchez started working with the merchant task force himself.
"I see a lot of responsible business owners here. They communicate, they're proactive" Sanchez said.
He's hoping experience from his bars that stay open till 4 am in Chicago will come in handy.
"Right now there's a mandatory camera on the front, back and the sides of the building. We have private security on the street, traffic control. We have signs that say you're being recorded. Cameras help out a lot," Sanchez said.
These are all ideas that are being considered by the merchants task force now as they draft a formal proposal to send to the city of West Palm Beach.
Bar owners who are part of the task force told us Thursday evening they hope to finalize a proposal that will reduce late night crime and keep drinks flowing until 4 am within the next 30 days.
