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Zeeland to consider lightening alcohol restrictions

ZEELAND, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Over the past several years, the city of Zeeland has been easing up on its alcohol restrictions.

Now, the City Council will vote on an ordinance that will allow restaurants to sell drinks to go.

People in downtown Zeeland told Newschannel 3 on Monday that they're feeling the area "starting to come alive again."

They've seen a boost with a new restaurant downtown, and now news of a new microbrewery on the way.

With that, business owners say, comes the demand for packaged alcohol purchases.

On the heels of the announcement that microbrewery Tripel Root plans to take root in a building vacant for six years in Zeeland, lakeshore residents are excited at the possibility of taking local drinks with them.

The city of Zeeland lifted its alcohol ban in 2007, and as Ryan Snyder, owner of Vitale's Restaurant said, there are definite benefits.

"It has certainly brought in business over and above what we used to get," he said. "I can sell it to-go now, which I couldn't before."

At this point, though, they're the only ones in the city cleared to sell drinks to-go.

The Zeeland City Council was expected to approve the ordinance in their meeting Monday night.

As for the new Tripel Root Brewery, it's expected to open sometime in the first quarter of next year.