The Dumas City Council heard presentation from restaurant owner Luis Vera about his interest in serving liquor in his Mexican restaurant, El Parin, Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
Vera owns several Mexican restaurants with one location in White Hall. He said they had been operating in White Hall area for several years and would like to come to Dumas. He plans on opening the restaurant in the former Sunflour Bakery. The restaurant hours will be from 11 am to 9 pm Sunday through Thursday and will close at 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. The alcohol they plan to serve are Margaritas and beer and will not have an open bar. They plan on having 10 employees to start and will maybe add on depending on the number of customers.
“We just want to be here and serve Mexican food,” Vera said.
Suzy Norris, Main Street Dumas Executive, talked about the need for businesses on Main Street and that she has no objections to the restaurant.
John Rogers, former Sonflour Bakery owner, supporting Vera said that Vera is seriously interested in the business. Vera has purchased the property and will be making more improvements to the location. He talked about how the sales of alcohol are important part of revenue for the business and could be an income loss for the business if they weren't able to sell it.
The Arkansas Beverage Commission requested the City of Dumas hold a public hearing. The area is zoned for the purchase of the alcoholic beaver ages with two liquor stores in the area and the Office Place Bar that used to reside in the building before it was the SonFlour Bakery.
A motion was made and approved for the council to accept the request for El Parin Mexican Restaurant to approve the sale of liquor in the restaurant.
Jacob Lanehart, Dumas High School Principal, asked the city Council for special permission for Friday Night Football games for the fireworks traditionally shot for touch downs. A recommendation was made that the city attorney review the ordinance to see if an ordinance can be made to accommodate the request. The council voted 6 yes to 1 no with one councilmember absent to look into amending the ordinance to allow the fireworks to be launched for touch downs on Friday nights only.
