Jan
9
McALLEN — Various bar managers have essentially shrugged their shoulders at the arrival of a new mixed drink tax, pressing on with business as usual.
As of the first of the year, an 8.25 percent tax has been assessed on mixed drinks, according to the state Comptroller’s website. Responses from a sampling of McAllen bar managers suggest that so far, the new tax has not significantly affected local establishments.
Billy Villarreal, executive chef manager at Infusions Eats Drinks at 701 N. Main St., said that the new tax has not influenced his establishment’s planning.
“I don’t think it’ll affect us,” he said. “Even if it did, there’s not a whole lot we can do about it.”
Ray Reyes, bar manager at London Grill Tavern at 129 E. Nolana Ave., agreed.
“It’s something different that we’re going to have to get used to,” he said. “The regulars that come in, they haven’t stopped coming in.”
“People are still going to go out,” Reyes said. For him, “It’s not going to stop me from going where I want to go.”
“The only thing I think it’ll affect is the larger parties,” he said.
Reyes pointed out that the tax was enacted just over a week ago, giving the new policy little time to have any sway.
“It’s only been one weekend,” he said. “We still had a very busy Friday and Saturday.”
Victor Mendoza, manager at El Divino Dining Cocktails at 5001 N. 10th St., also spoke to how the new tax was only launched last week.
“I think it’s still too early to tell,” he said.
Mendoza said the tax hadn’t really altered policy at El Divino, with drink prices staying where they had been before Jan. 1.
“I don’t think it’ll be too much of a bother,” he said.
Christopher Galicia, bar manager at El Divino, echoed Mendoza’s thoughts.
With regard to the tax, “I haven’t had one single question,” he said.
“I don’t think that it’ll affect us,” he said.
Wayne Kolberg, manager at Bourbon Street Grill Cantina at 4800 N. 10th St., expressed a similar opinion.
“So far I haven’t noticed anybody caring at all here.”
When asked if he felt the new tax would affect local business, Kolberg answered confidently.
“Here, in the Valley? No.”
Eric Peña, owner of Suerte Bar Grill at 301 S. 17th St., said that so far, he’s barely given the tax a passing thought.
“I haven’t even looked at it,” he said.
Luis Martinez, bar manager at Patio on Guerra at 116 S. 17th St., doesn’t see the new tax drawing much of a reaction, saying as Reyes did that only costlier tabs should feel a discernible impact.
“People usually don’t mind a quarter (increase),” he said. “They mind a dollar.”
Jesus Carrasco of Mission, enjoying a drink at El Divino on Wednesday afternoon, saw the tax as bearing little weight, but didn’t care for what it represents.
“It’s still upsetting,” he said. “A tax is a tax.”
dsantella@themonitor.com
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