Hidden Hangar Vineyard and Winery is leading the push to legalize alcohol sales in Grayson County, Justice Precinct 2. Alcohol sales are currently legal in The City of Denison. Hidden Hangar, just within two miles of downtown Denison, is outside the city limits, and falls within a "dry" area of the county. As we are a winery, our wine permit allows us to make and sell the wines we produce, even though we are in a dry area. However, because we are in dry area, we are limited only to the production and sale of wine (no beer or liquor), and we are subject to restrictions regarding the source and quantity of our product inputs.
At Hidden Hangar, we want to expand our business to include the production and sale of distilled spirits and malt beverages, as well as to continue developing new wines. We intend to further develop Hidden Hangar as an event/wedding destination and entertainment venue. The current dry status of Justice Precinct 2 prohibits us from obtaining the permits necessary to produce distilled spirits and malt beverages, and the ability to serve only wine has greatly limited event and entertainment business.
As we are outside the municipal authority of The City of Denison, not only is the growth of our business restricted because alcohol sales are not legalized, but we are also at a competitive disadvantage compared to similar businesses within the city limits. Businesses within the Denison City limits are eligible to receive funds from the Denison Development Council to mitigate startup and promotional costs, as well as to fund expansion initiatives. Being situated in the dry area just two miles east of downtown Denison, in order for Hidden Hangar to grow its business, develop new products and services, without benefit of municipal backing, we need a local option election to legalize the sale of all alcoholic beverages, including malt beverages, in Justice Precinct 2.
While this will be of great benefit to Hidden Hangar, legalizing alcohol sales will promote growth in the areas surrounding the City of Denison. Legalizing liquor sales in the precinct will allow new businesses to be established, making Grayson County more attractive to residential development, and increasing tax revenues. Legal liquor sales will benefit Grayson College, providing expansion opportunities, and drawing more students, to the Viticulture and Distillation programs, and allow sales and promotion of student-made products.
For the legal sale of alcohol to be placed on the ballot, and voted upon, we need to collect 4,811 signatures of registered voters of Justice Precinct 2 in the next 60 days! Please come by the Tasting Room at 273 Middle Rd to sign the petition. Additional signing locations will be added in the coming days.
In closing, not only would legalizing liquor sales allow Hidden Hangar to expand its business, but it would allow us better serve the needs of the community in which we live and work.
God Bless America! God Bless Texas! And God Bless Grayson County, Justice Precinct 2!
Petition was issued April 22, 2024. We need to collect 4,811 signatures within 60 days!