An earlier last call for four Vicksburg bars is set to go into effect in late January, but bar owners plan to appeal the decision to curb alcohol sales after 2 a.m.

Mayor George Flaggs Jr. announced during Monday’s meeting of the Board Mayor and Aldermen that a state approved resolution to cut off alcohol sales at four bars will begin Jan. 19.

“That will allow us to be consistent with our 30-day policy (of implementing new ordinances),” Flaggs said.

The change in time for alcohol sales would affect Beechwood Inn on East Clay Street, Monsour’s at the Biscuit Company and KC’s — formerly The Upper End — on Washington Street and LD’s Kitchen on Mulberry St. The city’s four casinos — Lady Luck, Riverwalk, Ameristar and DiamondJacks — will not have to adhere to the last call ruling.

No representatives for any of the four bars spoke at Monday’s meeting.

“I got a phone call saying that were some people that wanted to be on record to express their opinions but they were not within the 72-hour policy. I’m going to be fair. We’re gong to listen to anybody who wants to comment between now and when it goes into effect,” Flaggs said.

City policy requires anyone who wants to make public comments to call the City Clerk’s office 72 hours in advance.

State approval of the change was announced late Friday afternoon, which was not in time for speakers to make it into Tuesday’s agenda. However, the city voted Dec. 11 to ask the Department of Revenue to make the change.

“My concern is that my tenant will not be able to sustain enough business to stay open,” said Harry Sharp, who owns the space occupied by KC’s bar.

Reached by phone after Tuesday’s meeting KC’s owner David Belden and LD’s owner Larry “L.D.” Prentiss said they were not notified by the city before the Dec. 11 vote.

“My big concern is if you look at what it took to get that area resort status, the thousands of signatures, the previous mayor, the chief of police and the sheriff’s patrol. Now three people, without even speaking to us decided to change it,” Belden said.

Belden, who owns Rivertown Grill and its upstairs counterpart KJ’s, said he plans to appeal the decision to the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

“We’re going to fight it. We’re still in an appeals process with the state revenue department. Whatever avenues that I need to do to fight it, I’m going to do,” Belden said.

Prentiss said he felt the decision to close the four bars at 2 a.m. would give an unfair advantage to casinos, and he plans to explore appeal options.

“I don’t know what I can do, but I’m going to try to do something. I don’t like that decision. The business was here before the casinos were. But to me they’re trying to push all the business to the casinos, like the casinos don’t cause problems,” Prentiss said.

Vicksburg police Chief Walter Armstrong said an earlier closing time for bars was a public safety measure, citing 156 calls for service at local nightclubs over a six-month period.

Since taking over the bar that was previously known as The Upper End about five months ago, Belden said, he was worked to increase security at the business that was once a notorious spot downtown.

“I know what I’m trying to do and the steps that I’ve made with the nice restaurant downstairs and enhancing security,” he said. “I’m trying to make it a place that anybody can go to.”

The majority of business at KJ’s comes after 2 a.m. Most of the clientele are casino or restaurant workers who end their shifts at midnight or later, Belden said.

At LD’s a “good percentage of business” comes after 2 a.m., said Prentiss, who doubts the proposed cutoff time would do much to curb crime.

“A person who wants to be out after 2 o’clock, they’re going to be out anyway. All you’re doing is taking money from the city of Vicksburg,” Prentiss said.