SHOW ME CENTER CONSIDERS BEER SALES

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Beer sales at a country music concert Feb. 17 at the Show Me Center proved successful, but drew some complaints.

Building manager David Ross said the Show Me Center Board of Managers will discuss whether or not to have beer sales at future concerts at its March 6 meeting.

"This is a very conservative community," Ross said, "and I expect we will take a conservative view of what we do in the future."

The concert, featuring Ricky Van Shelton, Patty Loveless and Mark Collie, marked the first time beer has been sold at a concert.

Alcohol has been sold at several other events, including this past weekend's sports show, truck pulls, boxing matches and the Harry Blackstone magic show.

The fact that beer would be sold was not publicized prior to the Sunday-evening concert.

"I think it was a shock to some people who didn't know we would be selling beer," Ross said. "We didn't want to make an issue up front. This was just a basic test market."

He said two people called after the concert to complain. Several people have also expressed complaints in the Southeast Missourian's Speak Out column.

"With two complaints out of 5,100 people, I would say it's a considerable success," Ross said.

"We did surveys that night. Out of the surveys returned, we also got two very positive remarks. People said thanks for having beer sales."

He said the surveys also included several suggestions, including an idea to make drinking and non-drinking sections.

Ross explained that only one alcohol-related incident occurred during the concert. A woman, who was apparently intoxicated, got sick.

However Ross said, she was apparently intoxicated when she arrived, and, in fact, was refused a drink at the building.

Ross said this concert was chosen for the test because it met certain criteria.

"It was older demographics, and a Sunday evening concert usually brings a much more sedate crowd," he said. "Our staff has had effective alcohol management training, and this was not a rock and roll concert, which would be much harder to control."

"In the four years of the Show Me Center, this was the first event we've done this. It's not something we're going to do for every concert."

Beer was sold from independent stands in the hallway, and Ross said sales were good. "The vendor was pleased with the dollars rolling in. And concession sales (of food and other beverages) were not down.

"But did we make enough money to warrant the complaints we received? That's another question."