A teenager’s fight to prevent his local Orange County cinema from obtaining a drinking license has ended in success.
The Aliso Viejo City Council voted 4-1 against a permit that would have allowed the Edwards Theater to serve beer and wine in their 20 screen movie theater at the Aliso Viejo Town Center on Wednesday night.
Aliso Viejo Mayor Pro Tem Mike Munzing was the sole supporter of approving the permit.
"My vote was geared on, we don't own the business. We don't own the land. They should be allowed to run their business the way they feel they should do it," Munzing said Thursday.
Sixteen-year-old Warren Davis of Aliso Viejo started a petition with friends and soon had almost 800 signatures in support of their cause.
Davis believed he wouldn't feel comfortable in a dark movie theater if people were drinking alcohol.
"I feel like, this theater is especially a family friendly one, and it would just… change the atmosphere," Warren told NBC4 on Friday.
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According to an agenda of the meeting, various council members also expressed concern with exposing children to alcohol in a family oriented environment.
"All you're doing is talking about the idea of being family friendly, but it's a great place for parents to drop off their teens to hang out with other teens - not family," Munzing said, saying that the petition, along with other concerns, played a part in the council's decision.
He also argued that plenty of other family friendly establishments, like Farrell's and Chuck E. Cheese served beer and wine. In addition, serving alcohol would have come with rules, including a two-drink maximum per customer and wearing a wristband and showing ID before ordering.
"The residents of the city make and break businesses," Munzing said. "Residents would've spoken with their money and their feet if this wasn’t the right move."
