End to liquor ban urged

REXBURG, Idaho – A newly formed group in this eastern Idaho town wants to change liquor laws that are so restrictive a national restaurant chain abandoned plans to open a location because it couldn’t serve drinks by the glass.

Citizens for Expanded Dining in Rexburg formed Wednesday.

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar withdrew its plan to build in the city last summer after running into Rexburg’s 1947 law that prohibits selling liquor by the drink within city limits. The law was put in place after a local option election.

The City Council reaffirmed the law in April 2000. If there is enough support, the group intends to start a petition drive to change the law.