Naples Pier beer, wine sales in daytime approved 4-3 by City Council

Naples residents may not be able to fish at the Naples Pier this season, but they will be able to drink.

People watch the sunset at Naples Pier on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. The Naples City Council voted to allow the sale of beer and wine at the well-known landmark, possibly starting as early as January.

The Naples City Council voted 4-3 on Wednesday to approve a permit for the sale of beer and wine at the Pier.

The vote grants permission to the Pier's concession vendor, Cosmos Cafe & Pizzeria, to sell alcohol at the Pier from noon until sunset.

City Manager Bill Moss said the change is likely to take effect in January.

The council first must hold two hearings to revise an ordinance regulating activity at the Pier, Moss said.

Naples residents long have brought alcohol to the beach, but the council’s action Wednesday for the first time permits drinking at the Pier — the city’s most visited tourist destination.

More: Naples Pier closed to anglers but plenty other spots to fish in Collier

The council in October approved a similar permit allowing the sale of alcohol at the beach by the concession vendor at Lowdermilk Park.

The Gulf end of the Pier is likely to remain closed throughout the tourist season for repairs to damage done by Hurricane Irma. Naples is prohibiting fishing at the Pier during the repairs. The Pier's concession stand reopened Sept. 21.

Through its October 2015 contract with Cosmos, the city collects 20 percent of gross proceeds from concessions at the Pier. That now will include the sale of beer and wine, according to the agreement the council approved Wednesday.

People walk the Naples Pier during sunset Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. The Naples City Council voted to allow the sale of beer and wine at the well-known landmark.

Gianluca Corso, the owner of Cosmos, said he expects the sale of alcohol to increase his proceeds about 15 percent.

“It’s beautiful,” Corso said. “The city is going to benefit, and it’s going to be super under control.”

Glass containers are prohibited, so Cosmos at the Pier will sell pinot grigio and Chianti wines out of a can, Corso said.

Council members Doug Finlay, Linda Penniman and Sam Saad opposed the permit.

Finlay said he opposed it in part because it could lead to more police calls at the Pier.

“It’s the concentration of everything,” he said.

Naples Police Chief Tom Weschler told the council he had no objection to the permit as long as alcohol isn’t sold at the Pier at night.

People watch the sunset at Naples Pier on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. The Naples City Council voted to allow the sale of beer and wine at the well-known landmark.

“I have no issue allowing the sale until sunset,” he said.

Mayor Bill Barnett said he trusted Corso to operate the concessions professionally.

“I’ve seen this gentleman and how he operates,” Barnett said. “He pays attention to what he’s doing.”