During discussion on the item, council members and some residents raised concerns about alcohol being offered in stores during the event, asking if the city would be liable and if it will appear as though the city is sponsoring Shop and Stroll events.
Shop and Stroll is an event in downtown Tomball in which participating shops offer a beverage and/or a snack. People who come to the event get a commemorative cup and map of participating stores, and beverages are poured in the commemorative cups when customers visit participating businesses to shop, TEDC Executive Director Kelly Violette said.
Violette said prior Shop and Stroll events have been successful and bring in a lot of money for the stores in Old Town Tomball.
In response to concerns about the event, City Attorney Loren Smith said there is no liability involved for the city because of the terms of the agreement.
Townsend, who voted against approving the funding, said he is concerned about the number of events the city has that contain alcohol and he does not believe shops should use alcohol to attract customers.
However, Council Member Chad Degges said he has seen how “wildly successful” the events have been for the stores.
“I’ve talked to shop owners about it; they’re really excited about it. ... Their sales are just really phenomenal,” Degges said.
Council Member Mark Stoll said while he is not opposed to the event itself, he does not believe taxpayers should be funding the event. The TEDC gets a portion of sales tax, and the funding would come from the TEDC. He said he believes the downtown shops should form a merchant group and figure out a way to pay expenses for the events.
Violette said five events have happened so far, and local business Sip Hip Hooray has absorbed all of the advertising and marketing costs, about $900 per event.
Sip Hip Hooray owner Meagan Morris said the event is not marketed or sponsored by the city or the TEDC.
She also said she makes it clear to the shop owners they do not have to participate or if they want to participate, they do not have to serve alcohol.
Kirtley and Co. owner Natalie Kirtley said she chose not to serve alcohol at the Christmas Shop and Stroll. She said she served a nonalcoholic Christmas punch and Christmas cookies and still tripled her sales.
“I have had stores cry to me on the phone, telling me, 'Thank you,' that this is how they paid themselves in January when they usually can’t take a paycheck. I’ve had stores tell me that they used this to pay this rent," Morris said.
Ultra Violet’s owner Amy Bench said the Shop and Stroll events are the difference between her staying open and closing.
Stoll said after hearing from the shop owners, he changed his mind but believes the downtown businesses should form a group and eventually pay for the event themselves.
The next Shop and Stroll event will take place June 18 in Downtown Tomball.
