JC informs downtown businesses of pending 1 a.m. last call

The City of Johnson City informed businesses on Tuesday that it will continue to pursue limiting late-night alcohol sales to 1 a.m. at downtown establishments. The ability for the city to set its own alcohol sale hours passed the Tennessee General Assembly in April. An email sent to businesses said that a series of three readings and public hearings will take place this month and in August. That’s when the Johnson City Commission will consider an ordinance to end on-premise alcohol sales at 1 a.m. “in the interest of public safety.” The first reading and public hearing will take place on July 17, the second on Aug. 7 and the third will occur on Aug. 21. All meetings will take place at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 601 E Main Street. The ordinance must pass at all three readings in order to be adopted.