One of the most common complaints made by visitors to Lake Lanier has been the lack of a successful bar or restaurant on the lake.
Forsyth County Commissioners may have solved that problem. Last week they voted to allow marinas to sell alcohol without the tight restrictions normally placed on restaurants.
Normally restaurants must prove that at least 50 percent of their income comes from food rather than alcohol. Forsyth already has exemptions for bowling alleys, cigar shops and golf courses.
The exemption was passed at the urging of Port Royale Marina. They have recently built a large new shop and restaurant facility which is actually floating on the lake. Because of the nature of boat traffic, most visitors won’t sit down for a full meal – they’re more likely to grab a burger and a beer. That would have made it very difficult for them to pass the 50 percent test.