Applebee’s serves first mixed drink

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Charlie Moss, center, enjoys McMinnville’s first mixed drink Monday at Applebee’s. Joining him are fellow Citizens for McMinnville Growth members, from left, Kristy Hutchins, Debbie Bouldin, Barbara Osredkar and Sam Allen. (Will Stewart photo)

After gaining the approval of city voters in November, liquor by the drink became a reality Monday as Applebee’s began serving liquor and wine.

“Today we made history in McMinnville,” said Charlie Moss, chairman of Citizens for McMinnville Growth, the pro-liquor group which helped push through liquor by the drink.

Moss, who enjoyed the first drink served Monday, said he and fellow members of Citizens for McMinnville Growth are “ecstatic” now that their hard work has finally paid off.

Applebee’s is currently the only establishment in McMinnville to possess a state-issued liquor by the drink license. Officials there said they are pleased to be able to provide city residents what they want.

“We strive to reflect the neighborhoods in which we are located,” said general manager John LaForte. “The voters of McMinnville wished to have liquor by the drink, so we will expand our menu to provide that service.”

LaForte added Applebee’s is a restaurant first and a bar second, and will continue to serve the famed food for which it is known. Addressing concerns voiced by liquor by the drink opponents during the election, LaForte said all Applebee’s employees who take orders or deliver food must, by state law, be licensed by the Tennessee Beverage Commission on the responsible service of alcohol. His staff, he emphasized, is 100 percent certified.