City council gives Under the Sun permission to serve beer, wine

Managing editor

BONNERS FERRY — By this week, patrons at Under the Sun can drink a glass of wine or have a beer.

City council during a recent meeting granted a beverage license to the eclectic downtown Main Street variety store and bistro with a stipulation.

Council asked city solicitor Tim Wilson to make sure its decision complies with an Idaho law, which dictates that an establishment within 300 feet of a church cannot serve liquor. House of Prayer is in the same block as Under the Sun, next to McCoy's Home Interiors.

Wilson said Monday he doesn't expect Under the Sun to have a problem with the law.

"It should be 'grandfathered' because there's been bars there for so long," he said. "The downtown once had five bars on every corner."

Even if Wilson had determined there is a violation, council has the option to waive the requirement, said city police chief Dave Kramer. He believes the law is geared more toward churches in rural areas.

"The downtown is more of a commercial area," Kramer said.

The Last Chance Saloon and Sportsmans Club also are in the downtown and probably just as close to the House of Prayer as Under the Sun, Kramer said.

Under the Sun owners Shelly and Jack Yount requested serving wine and beer from their store at 7178 Main St. The Younts, who opened the business in May 2006, would like to serve local wines and beers, including from Pend d'Oreille Winery in Sandpoint and Laughing Dog Brewing in nearby Ponderay.