Alcohol Permit Denied For Regal Edwards Santa Maria After Local Youth Spoke Out

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - The Santa Maria City Planning Commission rejected a permit that would have allowed alcohol sales at the Regal Edwards RPX theater. 

The decision ensures the cinema, located in Town Center East, remains alcohol-free.

Across California, 55 other Regal theaters offer beer and wine in cans for customers to consume while watching movies.

The proposed permit would have allowed patrons to buy beer and wine at the concession stand in the Santa Maria mall’s theater lobby, making it the 56th location in the state to do so, but local officials chose not to approve the plan.

Plans concerning alcohol availability near the downtown district have traditionally faced intense local examination regarding their impact on family settings and youth-oriented activities in adjacent public areas.

Several youth advocates affiliated with Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley spoke against the proposal at the September 16th Planning Commission meeting.

City Planning Commission Commissioner Tim Seifert noted that he originally viewed the permit as a potential benefit for the community before changing his perspective during the session and voting against the proposal.

With the permit denied, the theater will continue operating under its standard business model without offering alcoholic beverages.

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