By James Windell
A resolution to permit the serving and consumption of alcohol at events at the South Haven Center for the Arts was approved by the South Haven City Council at their regular bimonthly meeting on February 3, 2025.
In the past, the City Council has approved resolutions and license agreements which allow alcohol service to occur at the South Haven Center for the Arts. Previous license agreements required the Center for the Arts to comply with a variety of regulations. For example, the Center may not charge for alcoholic beverages and the Center must comply with all regulations from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.
The approval of the license agreement ensures that the Center is in compliance with the City’s code. The Center must obtain the City’s annual approval of the planned events at which alcohol may be served.
In a somewhat related action, the City Council approved Resolution 2025—08 in which it was recommended that the Michigan Liquor Control Commission grant Tello Italian Bistro, located at 524 Phoenix Street, a Social District Permit.
On December 5, 2022, the South Haven City Council approved a resolution to establish a South Haven Social District. The Social District would be open daily from noon to 8:00 p.m. between October 1 and May 15, beginning in the Fall, 2023. As established by the resolution, a Social District Permit is needed from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) for South Haven businesses to participate.
Those businesses that have a Social District Permit are required to provide an alcoholic beverage container that complies with MLCC stipulations. Those stipulations indicate that containers are 16 ounces or less, have the time and date of purchase, that the container not be glass, and that it includes a logo or identification of the venue. Having such a beverage container allows an individual to carry and consume alcohol in the designated areas of the city.
The resolution was unanimously approved allowing Tello Italian Bistro to apply for a Social District permit from the MLCC.
