A Hastings pizza restaurant will not be allowed to serve beer and wine with meals after the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners sided with local churches that opposed the request.
The decision, made Tuesday, May 19, reverses a previous approval from the county’s Planning and Zoning Agency that would have allowed Main St. Pizza & Ice Cream to offer on-site beer and wine service in conjunction with its restaurant. The Planning and Zoning Agency had voted 4-3 in favor of the request earlier this year, but First Baptist Church of Hastings and God’s Way Baptist Church of Hastings appealed the decision.
At the center of the issue is a St. Johns County land development regulation that generally prohibits alcohol sales within 1,000 feet of a church or school. Restaurants may apply for exemptions, and Main St. Pizza owner Matthew Glass had received approval for one before the appeal reached county commissioners.
Glass argued that the request was modest and tied to food service, not nightlife. He told News4JAX the restaurant was not trying to become a bar, but simply wanted to offer “beer and wine with your meal.” Supporters also said the decision could have broader implications for Hastings’ downtown, where many commercial properties sit close to churches, making the 1,000-foot rule a challenge for businesses hoping to grow.
Main St. Pizza has become part of the evolving downtown Hastings business district, which has seen renewed interest as the community grows. According to Jacksonville Today, Glass told commissioners that customers who visit the restaurant spend money in Hastings rather than taking their business elsewhere.
Church members, however, urged commissioners to uphold the appeal, raising concerns about safety, quality of life, drunken driving, noise and the example alcohol service could set for children who attend church nearby. First Baptist Church of Hastings is located across the street from the restaurant, and church representatives argued the county’s existing ordinance should be honored.
Commissioners ultimately voted unanimously to reverse the Planning and Zoning Agency’s approval. Commissioner Christian Whitehurst said that while he supports small businesses, exemptions should not be granted so broadly that they undermine the purpose of the ordinance. Commissioner Sarah Arnold also noted that the church has been part of the Hastings community for more than a century, while the restaurant is a newer addition.
The case has drawn attention beyond one restaurant because of what it may signal for future growth in Hastings. As the historic farming community continues to attract new businesses and investment, local leaders and residents are facing familiar questions about how to balance economic development with the character, values and long-standing institutions of the community.
