Stimulus Package: Ephraim Business Owners Push for Alcohol in the Village

The Village of Ephraim is the only dry town in Wisconsin, but some business owners think it’s time to consider a change.

Since its founding as a Moravian settlement over 150 years ago, the sale of alcohol has been banned in the village.

Amanda DeWitt, an Ephraim jeweler who owns DeWitt Jewelry and has operated in the village for 10 of her 44 years in the business, brought the idea to the Ephraim Business Council (EBC) in July.

The EBC sent out a survey to its members in August and received responses from 33 of 103 businesses. Though a small sample, 90 percent, or 25 respondents, said they supported “the idea of legalizing the sale of beer and wine served tableside in Ephraim.”

Though she doesn’t own a restaurant, DeWitt said allowing Ephraim’s restaurants to serve beer and wine tableside would increase evening traffic for all entrepreneurs.

“I have the firm belief that all of our businesses rely on each other,” she said. “I’m interested in the business community of Ephraim being successful.”

Several survey respondents said they lose customers because they can’t get beer or wine with their dinner, and lodging owners say they have to direct many guests out of the village for the same reason. DeWitt sees the issue as one of economics.

“We need to have a level playing field with the rest of Door County,” she said. “Restaurants would get more dinner business, wait staff would make more in tips, and restaurants would be able to keep better staff if employees could count on better tips and something closer to year ‘round jobs.”

The council did not take a position for or against the idea, citing bylaws that prevent the organization from taking a political position.

Even if the business community favors a change, the decision would likely come down to the residential community, said EBC Tourism Administrator Rachel Willems.

“A lot of Ephraim business owners don’t actually live in Ephraim,” Willems said.

This isn’t the first time the idea of allowing the sale of beer and wine has been brought up in the village. Some business owners suggested a change in 2004, for similar reasons. A referendum to allow alcoholic beverages to be sold in the village was defeated by a 3 – 1 margin in the mid-1990s.

DeWitt said she’ll continue working on the idea and will take steps to get a referendum on a future ballot.