Schultze’s owners respond to concerns

After the mayor and council members motioned to approve the authorization for the sale of beer and wine at Schultze’s Old Fashioned Soda shop after hearing oppositions from Pastor Les Albritton and several members of Calvary Way Community Church, owner, Eric Schultz, speaks out.

Schultz’s wife, Lauren Schultz, presented the application at the Perry City Council meeting that took place on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

“We’re not a bar, we never will be a bar,” stated Eric. He addressed that the restaurant will only be adding beer and wine floats to their menu.

Eric expressed, “We just wanted to offer a unique dessert that people can enjoy in Perry.” He described it as a unique after-hour dessert.

Lauren had included in her statements to mayor and council that they do not ever suspect that they will be a place where the community will just come and get a beer. She explained that it was not the type of establishment that they were, neither the type of establishment that they aimed to be.

Although there were several strong concerns from Calvary Way’s pastor and members, Eric expressed that he could not comment on their feelings even though he acknowledges that they did have some very strong feelings about the sale of alcohol at the soda shop.

Eric said that after hearing all the concerns from the church, they thought that they would get a chance to express another side to the oppositions but did not need to because the city had voted to approve their application. He said he had the legal right to sell beer and wine in the soda shop.

“I understand the church voicing their concerns, but ultimately there was no legal ground to stand by,” Eric stated. “I know we’re going to take every precaution possible—when we do start selling beer and wine floats—that we are doing it safely and by the letter of the law.”

The floats will be sold at normal operating hours; however, the soda shop is closed on Sundays, so the shop will not be selling on Sundays.

Eric stated, “We’re looking forward to being able to offer this unique treat.” He included that when customers come to visit the soda shop and order these alcoholic floats, they will make sure they are serving their customers safely and responsibly.

“We ask our customers to be safe and responsible as well,” added Eric.

Eric purchased this location in March 2020. The restaurant expanded from having only three employees, when Schultze’s was only serving ice cream, to 18 part-time employees.

Lauren expressed how they were in search of new ways to continue to serve the community and make ends meet due to how tough things had become in the restaurant industry. The Schultzs saw an interest in some of the other local restaurants of the downtown district having beer and wine with their food. “We wanted to be able to provide the customers with the opportunity, if they wanted a beer with their burger,” Lauren expressed.

The Schultzs are looking forward to continuing a great relationship with the city of Perry and their citizens.

“We look forward to being here many years to come,” Eric stated. He expressed how they have been very blessed to be a part of Perry and how it reminds him of his hometown.

Schultze’s Old Fashioned Soda Shop in located at 757 Carroll Street in downtown Perry.

HHJ News