OAK GROVE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The City of Oak Grove decided to not move forward with amending hours that alcohol can be served by business. During the July 21 city council meeting, two business owners who would exclusively impacted spoke up about being blindsided by the possible change.
At the previous committee of the whole meeting, councilmembers discussed an amendment to a city ordinance that would prohibit alcohol sales and service after midnight. Currently, the sale of alcohol is permitted between the hours of 6 a.m. and 3 a.m., with the council initially under the impression that the casino and convention center would not be impacted by an amendment.
Due to their hours of operation, the only two businesses in the city that would be impacted by the change are Ooh Lala Brunch & Lounge and Legion Liquors. Comments from councilmembers suggested that public safety was the motivation behind the implementation.
Business owners speak up to Oak Grove City Council before dismissal
Samanthia Stephan, owner of Legion Liquors, spoke during public comments to express her frustration regarding how the council prioritized communication with big box stores like Walmart about the amendment and seemed unconcerned with local businesses. She said, “My business was brought up specifically by name during the last meeting and it was quickly brushed aside.”
Her store is currently open until 1 a.m., which she says sets her apart from other liquor stores in the area and a change in hours would financially impact her.
Three women representing Ooh La La were also present and passionately addressed the council. Each of them shared their dedication to the business, asking them to reconsider the amendment. Listed hours for their operation say they remain open until 2 a.m. most days, and if they had to stop serving alcohol and clear out at midnight, it would devastate operations.
“As a business owner, we have every incentive to provide a safe environment for our customers, our employees, and our community,” said Oh La La business partner Celeste Smith during public comments. “Policies that make it more difficult for locally owned businesses to succeed can discourage future investments and slow economic growth. We are only asking for fairness, consistency and an opportunity to continue serving our community under the same standards that apply to comparable establishments.”
Oak Grove Police Chief Victor Lynch clarified after public comments that the council is not be able to pick and choose which type of liquor license would have the midnight cutoff. If this amendment was passed, all liquor licenses across the board would have to stop serving at the same time including Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel and Valor Hall Conference and Event Center.
Backed unanimously by the rest of the council, Councilmember Janet Edwards proposed that they dismiss the ordinance amendment in its entirety saying, “The community did not want this…we do have a lot of violence in this city, and we need to attack it a different way.”
Mayor Jackie Oliver was not present for the city council meeting or previous discussion.
Reaction from business owner
Ooh La La Brunch & Lounge owner Denise Henderson told Christian County Now after the vote that despite the dismissal of the ordinance, she is disappointed by how the situation was handled and feels that her business was targeted by the city possibly due to the predominantly Black demographic they attract.
Her lounge was the only establishment in Oak Grove that would have knowingly been impacted by the ordinance, and she believes that the impact on Legion Liquors was just “collateral damage.” Henderson was not notified about the ordinance by any city officials, and she only knew about the potential change due to previous reporting from Christian County Now that was shared to her.
Day to day, Henderson says safety is a priority for her business, and she has already established strong relationships with local law enforcement. Earlier this summer, police did respond to shots that were fired in the parking lot, however, she maintains that crime happens everywhere in the city and is not exclusively limited to her business.
Establishing Ooh La La has been an uphill climb from the start for Henderson. Among challenges, she remains proud of the cliental she has built and the atmosphere she has curated with her cooking, and love for blues music.
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