A freshman lawmaker urged a House committee Wednesday to give legal precedence to the generations-old practice of enjoying a beer or glass of wine at barbershops and salons, but his last call for complimentary alcohol fell on deaf ears. Rep. Truck Gisclair, D-Larose, wanted the House Judiciary Committee to create a new liquor-license category for spas, barbershops, salons and similar establishments. The committee ended up killing House Bill 108 after several of its members requested clarifications from state officials as to whether the practice of handing out a single, complimentary alcoholic beverage was against the law.
Gisclair says five other states have already passed similar laws, and local businesses are being forced to look over their shoulders out of fear of the state Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Kevin Sevin of Larose told the committee that he operates 10 of those businesses, a chain known as “Just 4 Him” that offers one free beer per adult customer. Sevin says after advertising his business and the free beer, ATC agents visited his Baton Rouge location and served his business a citation. He contends he was unfairly targeted. “By limiting it to one (drink), it doesn’t turn into a barroom,” Sevin says. “We’re not in the bar business.” For the full version of this story, click here.—Jeremy Alford
