Proposal for bars and restaurants to close earlier

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Mayor Sarno already implemented a requirement that all bars receive an entertainment license in order to keep the entertainment on past 1AM, but this would be an across the board closing time for any establishment with a liquor license.

Should Springfield bars and restaurants close at 1AM instead of 2AM?

That's the proposal that packed people into City Hall Wednesday night.

The Mayor says something needs to be done to make the city safer.

“Businesses that are not operating properly are hurting the city's reputation,” Said Sarno.

There are those who agree that bars don't need to be open so late.

“It would be a very interesting city that cares about its young people and that it's an entertainment and to go out socially drinking, not excessively and not that late at night,” Frank Ryan of Springfield told 22News.

But restaurant owners argue this would be a huge financial blow to both businesses and the city.

Eddie Grimaldi, owner of Samuel’s Tavern told 22News, “We've looked at everything, we would lose 12% based on sales rung after 12 o’clock but we think there could be a much more significant percentage as much as 15 to 20 percent that we would lose as a result of the people that would not even arrive.”

And even some residents say there are plenty of businesses in the city that have been forced to close up shop and something like this could force even more businesses to close as well.

Yoland Cancele of Springfield told 22News, “The way for businesses to stay, especially local citizens who want to stay here, I feel personally that if your residents spend your money here they stay here instead of giving their money over to Connecticut or anywhere else.”