PRESS RELEASE

JUDE'S BARBERSHOP CANNOT OFFER BEER IN GRAND RAPIDS

A 1971 City of Grand Rapids ordinance was brought to the attention of the Grand Rapids Vice Squad who notified Jude's Barbershop. Jude's Barbershop opened its forth location on Lake Michigan Drive in Standale this week. The new location is the only one that offers the complimentary beer because it's located in the City of Walker.

The 1971 ordinance states "It shall hereafter be unlawful for any person to consume alcoholic liquor in any public place in the City, or in any place to which the public is admitted, except those places which are properly licensed therefore by the Liquor Control Commission and then only the particular kind or style of alcoholic liquor which is licensed for sale on said premises, and the owner or operator of any such place shall [in such event] deemed to be a violator.

Jude's Barbershop is going to contact the Mayor and the city Commissioners to see if they are willing to modify the ordinance. Jude's has in place its own policy involving the complimentary beer.

1. It must be after noon.
2. Customer must be over the age of 21.
3. 1 beer per client.
4. The person offered the beer must be a Jude's customer.
5. The beer must be consumed inside the barbershop.
6. If a customer smells of alcohol or appears to be under the influence, they cannot be offered a beer.

Women's salons have been offering their clients a complimentary alcoholic beverage for years and nobody has questioned their actions.

In Jenison, the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Ottawa County, Kent Engle, said that he would prosecute if Jude's resumed offering the complimentary beers to its customers even thought the state Liquor Control Enforcement Division stated that offering the complimentary beer is not a violation of state law. Mr. Engle stated that even if Jude's won in court, the Georgetown Township would probably adopt an ordinance that would prevent Jude's from offering the complimentary beer. Mr. Engle also expressed that if Jude's would have kept quiet about the free beer, it might not have been an issue.

Thomas Martin, one of the owners of Jude's Barbershop, feels that it's a small minority that's imposing its morality on the majority by restricting everyone’s freedom by passing ordinances and threatening prosecution. If you don't want a free beer when you visit Jude's you don't have to have one. If you don't want to go to Jude's because it offers free beer to its customers you don't have to. But there are many people who want that option.

Jude's has received positive comments of support from hundreds of people regarding the free beer issue. Jude's plans on working with the City of Grand Rapids to get the ordinance changed and then talk to the Michigan Attorney Generals office and the Liquor Control office to find a resolution in Jenison. If a resolution can't be found Jude's may have to go to court to settle the issue.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ottawa County Kent Engle: 738-4826

Georgetown Township Supervisor Bill Holland: 457-2340

Thomas Martin (owner Jude's Barbershop) tmartin@judesbarbershop.com

State Law regarding free alcoholic beverages: 436-1913 and 436-1111