SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) -The owner of a Savannah event venue and her attorney have sent city officials a 14-page legal demand, requesting $500,000 in lost revenue and a formal review of the West Savannah alcohol overlay that has blocked the business from obtaining a liquor license.
Rashida Edwards, owner of Vintage Special Events Center, said the property falls just inside the West Savannah alcohol overlay, which prohibits alcohol sales. Edwards said she has been unable to apply for a liquor license as a result, and that missed bookings have cost her thousands of dollars in damages dating back to 2022 — including one missed opportunity totaling $40,000.
Legal demand targets mayor, city officials
Edwards and her attorney, Courtney Gilchrist, sent the formal legal demand to Savannah city officials, including Mayor Van Johnson. The 14-page document includes a list of demands and requests the city respond within 30 days.
“We understand what the original intent of this overlay was put in place for, but now we need to review it to see how we can ensure that it’s not impacting or overstating what the original intent was,” Gilchrist said.
Demands include agenda placement, ‘receipts,’ and $500K payment
The demand requests that city officials place the matter on the next city council meeting agenda, revisit the alcohol overlay and those properties included in it, issue a $500,000 payment for lost revenue, and produce what Edwards and Gilchrist describe as “receipts” — documents they say Mayor Johnson referenced during a Facebook Live video between himself and Edwards…