Smith Lake: Big Changes

For those of you who have yearned for lakeside dining and entertaining, good things are coming! For years our beautiful Smith Lake has been missing dining and entertainment, a lakeside luxury so many other lakes have been taking advantage of for years. Even with all its beauty, there is nothing like pulling your boat up to the marina for a dinner out with your family.

On May 25, 2017, Governor Kay Ivy signed Senate Bill 322 into law enabling marinas with 30+ boat slips and restaurants with a seating capacity of 100 to hold an on premise beverage license, even though the counties in which they reside are dry. With the term “on premise” clearly being defined as onsite consumption with no carryout sales of alcohol, allowing someone to leave the area with beverages. Senate Bill 322 also explicitly creates districts on the lake for on premises consumption of alcohol 7 days a week.  With the obvious being stated that it is still illegal to consume alcohol or have alcohol while operating a watercraft.

Without a doubt this legislation will have a positive economic impact in the tri-county area, bringing not only fun and entertainment, but also building a community among lake patrons. These establishments will create a common place for those to gather and join others who share a common love for our Smith Lake to mention the additional tax dollars.

To date, Smith Lake now has two restaurants serving both food and alcohol, Golddiggers at The Lakeshore Inn & Marina in Double Springs along with The Grille at Trident Marina in Crane Hill. Both establishments have a full menu with live entertainment on select weekend nights. For more information on their events, check out their websites.