One month after the proposals were passed, Class A and E bar owners remain torn over the changes made to DeKalb’s liquor ordinance.

The ordinance underwent three major changes. The first requires Class E establishments to close one hour earlier than class A establishments. The ordinance also prohibits all Class E bars from charging cover. It also extends bar hours at all establishments by one hour on Thursday night.

The new rules have hurt business, said Dennis Radcliff, owner of Huskys Bar and Grill, 1205 W. Lincoln Highway.

Huskys, one of two major Class E licenses in town along with The Barn, 1215 Blackhawk Road, no longer can charge cover. The law has hindered his ability to bring in entertainment, Radcliff said.

There is no way of covering the cost of a band, Radcliff said. Additionally, if he were to bring in a band, they would not be able to play a long set because the bar has to close earlier, he said.

Owners at The Barn, who would not comment on this story, also have had problems with the ordinance. In a recent lawsuit with the city, Barn owners state the new ordinance has gone overboard and is unconstitutional.

Under the old ordinance, Class E licenses operated just like Class A licenses, said Jeff Dobie, owner of Fatty’s Pub, 1312 W. Lincoln Highway.

“Something had to be done,” Dobie said.

The Class E establishments were acting too much like a Class A, he said. Class E establishments are those which need to have at least 60 percent of their sales come from food and non-alcoholic beverages and no more than 40 percent from alcoholic beverages.

“There is a limit of liquor licenses for a reason, “ Dobie said.

He added that if the city handed out liquor licenses freely, DeKalb might be overrun with bars.

Other Class A owners agreed with Dobie’s assessment.

Jason Sanfilippo, a co-owner of Molly’s, 1022 W. Lincoln Highway, said that having distinguishing factors on the bars is a good thing, and the change has been positive for Molly’s.

“There should have always been a difference,” Sanfilippo said.

Being able to stay open an hour later on Thursday nights has helped, and the bar has been full, he said.

Sanfilippo and other bar owners also have seen an increase in business during the extra hour that Class A bars remain open past Class E bars.

“It helps us out,” said Tony Poulous, general manger of Otto’s, 118 E. Lincoln Highway. “We appreciate the extra hours.”

It is only Class A bars that the ordinance helps, Radcliff said. Class E establishments are hurt because of competition, he said.

“If I was informed there was a problem between Class A and Class E, I would have never opened up,” Radcliff said.

Radcliff said he intends to follow the rules set in place and operate the way the city wishes.

Mayor and Liquor Commissioner Greg Sparrow said anyone in violation of the ordinance will face consequences.

“If anyone tries to skirt the law, sooner or later they will be before me on charges,” Sparrow said.

Penalties can range from monetary fines to a revocation of a liquor license, he said.