25 Highlands business owners say they would have to close if 'moist' election goes through

If approved by voters, bars in the affected precincts would be required to generate at least 70% of their revenue from food sales to serve alcohol.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — More than 20 business owners said Thursday they would have to shut down if neighbors vote to make Louisville's Highlands neighborhood "moist."

That means some bars would be required to generate most of their revenue from food sales instead of alcohol.

A petition circulating the Highlands neighborhood is trying to gather enough signatures to put a "moist" election on the November ballot.

Residents in three precincts near Bardstown Road filed notices last Monday seeking what's known as a "moist" election, according to the Jefferson County Clerk's Office. The next day, residents in five additional precincts inquired about joining the effort, potentially expanding the proposal to much of the Bardstown Road corridor between Highland Avenue and Sherwood Avenue.

If approved by voters, bars in the affected precincts would be required to generate at least 70% of their revenue from food sales to serve alcohol.

Several bar and restaurant owners along Bardstown Road said Thursday that's not feasible to run a business, which is why they're taking a stand.

"We 100% feel attacked," said Sean Vandevander, with the Louisville Hospitality Association.

Supporters of the petition to hold a "moist" election believe it will help address late-night violence and disturbances that have occurred outside some bars along Bardstown Road in recent years.

"We want to make it very clear that bars and restaurants have also been victims and on the receiving end of these street takeovers and violent mobs," said Vandevander. "We've had our businesses broken into, we've had products stolen, we've had gunshots go through our windows. We've had employees accosted, patrons accosted. So our No. 1 priority as an association, and our record speaks for itself, is safety first."

The LHA, however, called the measure "ill-advised," warning it could negatively affect as many as 27 businesses along the Bardstown Road corridor.

"Most businesses profit off of alcohol, food is not that profitable unless you're selling very high-priced food," Vandevander said. "It's not the way that bars and restaurants make a living."

Vandevander said if the "moist" election happens and is passed, 25 bars and restaurants along Bardstown Road would have to close, leaving 500 people out of a job.

"If we lose bars and restaurants, we lose tourism dollars," he said.

LHA President Cres Bride, who owns several businesses in Louisville, said there's no way businesses could stay open.

"I've done this for 34 years, and there is no way my places could stay open if I had to adhere to that 70% food," Bride said.

However, the association has committed to a 4 a.m. moratorium, meaning no new 4 a.m. licenses would be given out. Those who already have those licenses would be grandfathered in. The LHA is also working on making business owners citywide do yearly education and training for all bars and restaurant owners on safety and deescalation.

"We want to make it 100% known that we are not responsible for what takes place on the streets of Louisville," Vandevander said. "We're just calling for everybody to come back to the table, cool down the temperature and let's get to work."

In order to get the "moist" vote on the ballot, petitioners must gather signatures from 25% of the voters in the precinct. The LHA said it will hold a public town hall at 7 p.m. next Thursday, July 16, at The Hub on Bardstown Road.

You can watch Thursday's news conference with the LHA and several Louisville business owners in the video player below.