Lucy’s Branch Marina owner Billy Christopher breathed a sigh of relief this week after learning legislation allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages at a future restaurant at the marina has been signed into law.

State Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, and state Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, sponsored the legislation recently signed by Gov. Kay Ivey. The legislation creates a community development district at Lucy’s Branch Marina in southwestern Limestone County. The marina previously could not sell alcohol because Limestone County prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages, except in the city of Athens.

Thanks to the legislation, Christopher’s restaurant will be able to serve from a full bar on the premises. Alcoholic beverages would be limited to the proposed restaurant, dock area and barges. Off-premise alcohol sales would remain illegal.

Christopher said he was excited that all of the hurdles to opening a “wet” restaurant in a “dry” county had been crossed.

“Getting legislation to go through is kind of like making sausage,” Christopher said. “The process isn’t fun to watch, but the final product is certainly good.”

He was disappointed last year when lawmakers failed to pass a similar bill.

Christopher said his vision for a full-service restaurant that takes advantage of the river views took shape three years ago. But, he couldn’t imagine opening a restaurant without being able to serve alcohol, he said.

“We wanted to be able to open a restaurant on the water that would be open year-round, and alcoholic beverages were a driving force for that,” he said. “There will be people who want to come and have a glass of wine while they watch the sunset or a beer while they watch a sports event.”

The restaurant, which Christopher anticipates will open in approximately six months, will extend 10 feet over the river, providing unobstructed views of the water to the east and west. Plans call for enclosing the restaurant almost entirely with glass garage doors so it can be converted to an open-air venue when weather permits.

Christopher also intends to use a trio of breakwater barges floating near the marina for outdoor seating and as an entertainment area that will accommodate hundreds of guests. Christopher’s plans also include using the restaurant and barge areas for events like weddings and concerts.

This combination of features will attract people to Limestone County from near and far, Christopher said.

“Having a full-service marina in your county or town is a feather in your hat,” he said. “The water feature attracts people who wouldn’t normally come here and, the truth is, most people expect to be able to have an alcoholic drink with their dinner.”

In the past, Christopher considered offers from both Athens and Rogersville to annex the marina. If either city were to annex the area, Christopher would have had the option of selling alcohol both on and off the premises.

But for now, he said, the newly passed legislation addressed his main priority — being able to sell alcohol at the marina. However, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of annexation in the future “if we felt like either town would be beneficial to us in the promotion of having a marina within their city limits.”