Visitors to Tryon’s downtown can now have open alcoholic beverages on the sidewalk.

Tryon Town Council met Tuesday, Dec. 13 and unanimously approved an ordinance to allow alcoholic beverages at Rogers Park for town events and at certain hours on the North sidewalk between Palmer Street and New Market Road downtown.

Tryon Town Manager Zach Ollis said the ordinance clears up one thing in regards to Rogers Park when the town has music there. He said the ordinance also allows people to carry alcoholic beverages between Palmer and New Market, which could help businesses.

“People can go from shop to shop sampling wine and purchasing art,” Ollis told council.

Commissioner Bill Ingham asked police chief Jeff Arrowood if he is comfortable with the ordinance and Arrowood indicated he is.

Resident Anne Day asked if the section allowing alcohol included Side Street Pizza. Ollis said no, the ordinance only allows it on the North sidewalk.

“An ordinance has been crafted to address multiple issues regarding the consumption of alcohol at Rogers Park during concerts,” said Ollis in a memo to council. “While this ordinance was crafted, we took the time to research downtown businesses and the impact that public consumption would have on Trade Street. The ordinance was designed to allow public consumption on the North (business) side of Trade Street between Palmer Street and New Market Road.”

The ordinance states it shall be unlawful for any person to consume any alcoholic beverage on property owned or controlled by the Town of Tryon or upon any public vehicular area, provided that the following section shall not apply to establishments that have an on premise ABC permit; the consumption of malt beverages or unfortified wine on the sidewalks on the north side of Trade Street between Palmer Street and New Market Road, and at the town controlled plaza area at the northwest corner of N. Trade and Maple Streets between the hours of noon and 11 p.m.; the consumption of malt beverages or unfortified wine in Rogers Park and on the sidewalk of W. Howard Street abutting Rogers Park during town-sponsored events and town approved events and at such places and times as the town’s board of commissioners may authorize by separate resolution.

The ordinance is effective immediately. The town first announced its intentions to allow public consumption of alcohol at Rogers Park and on the business side of downtown in November in order to receive public comments.