Dormont Removes Beer Garden From Street Fair

At least two local bar owners lobbied the council during its Tuesday night voting meeting to remove the Beer Garden from the annual fair because they said it has cost them thousands of dollars in business.

Meanwhile, other residents and borough officials said they did not agree with the borough-sanctioned alcohol sales.

Council voted 6-1 to remove the Beer Garden from the street fair, which is scheduled for Oct. 8 along Potomac Avenue. Only Councilman Drew Lehman in favor of it.

Mayor Tom Lloyd said he disagreed with the Beer Garden because it took away money from the local bars. 

“We shouldn’t have it,” Lloyd said. “We shouldn’t be in competition.”

Lehman, though, said the Beer Garden would have sold different brews than local establishments. He disagreed that it was in direct competition with area bars.

“It would be like a wine-tasting,” Lehman said. “It’s not the same people.”

But Grace Waters, part owner of Breakers, disagreed, estimating her bar has lost about $2,000 during the past two festivals when the Beer Garden was in place. She said another bar lost about $3,000 in money due to the street beer sales. 

“Take a look at the numbers,” she said.

Waters added that her bar brings in numerous pool tournaments, which helps other area businesses. She said the competition of beer sales hurts her bar, which ultimately hurts the borough.

“We bring a lot of business to Dormont,” she said.