A proposal to let a west Mobile movie theater sell beer and wine hit a monthlong delay this week after residents flooded a City Council meeting with concerns about mixing alcohol into a venue many consider a safe haven for teenagers and families.
Carmike Inc., which operates the Wynnsong 16 multiplex at 785 Schillinger Road South, is seeking a liquor license that would allow restricted beer and wine sales inside the theater. Council members heard extended public comment on the proposal Tuesday, with parents, a local pastor, and other residents raising objections ranging from impaired driving concerns along Schillinger Road to worries about how easily alcohol sales could be monitored inside a large multiplex.
Karen Swanson, whose 19-year-old son frequents the theater, told council members the venue is one of the few places she feels comfortable knowing he’ll be away from alcohol. “Our children have nowhere to go,” she said, describing the relief she feels when he says he’s headed to the movies rather than somewhere alcohol might be present.
Mack Morris, pastor of Woodridge Baptist Church, said his congregation alone gathered roughly 700 signatures opposing the license, part of a broader unanimous recommendation against the proposal from more than 100 area Baptist churches he represents. Other speakers read aloud text messages and social media comments from residents worried about losing the theater’s family-friendly reputation, concerns about inappropriate behavior escalating once alcohol enters the mix, and skepticism about in-theater alcohol advertising.
Councilwoman Bess Rich, whose district includes the theater, acknowledged the strength of the opposition. “We do need to pay attention to the concerns that have been expressed,” she said. The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Underage Drinking Task Force has also asked to weigh in before any final decision.
Carmike’s attorney, James Pittman, told the council the request reflects a broader industry shift as theater chains face growing competition from streaming services and video-on-demand. He said Carmike is pursuing similar liquor licenses systematically across its Alabama locations and beyond, citing internal research suggesting alcohol availability makes moviegoers more likely to choose a theater over staying home.
To address safety concerns, Carmike proposed a two-drink limit per patron, wristbands for verified adults over 21, clearly marked cups for alcoholic beverages, and a separate cash register dedicated to alcohol transactions. If approved, the company also plans to renovate the theater’s lobby into a full-service kitchen offering pizza, salads, and sandwiches. Pittman said the company would hire a dedicated compliance officer during peak hours and off-duty police officers empowered to arrest anyone caught selling alcohol to minors rather than simply escorting them out.
Mobile Police Chief James Barber said the company has been cooperative in discussing additional security measures. A Public Safety Committee hearing was scheduled for later in September to continue the debate, with the full council set to take a final vote on the license in early October.