With new liquor license, Centennial Hall hopes to draw more business

Centennial Hall, an event venue in downtown Mount Pleasant, was granted a liquor license by the city of Mount Pleasant last month.

The hall, 306 W. Michigan St., is often used for fraternity and sorority events and occasions and provides several different services.

The management bought the liquor license formerly held by The Main Bar, 807 S. Mission St., before it closed due to a fire. Centennial Hall had been operating on a “BYOB,” or “bring your own beer” basis.

“We wanted to get the license to meet the needs of more audiences and attract more people,” said Jean Prout, the owner of Centennial Hall.

Prout said organizations in Mount Pleasant and from Central Michigan University including fraternities and sororities have events at the hall.

“It’s nice to have another venue around Mount Pleasant with a liquor license because we have to spend a lot of money on travel to get to other locations,” said Troy junior Sarah Chandonnet, member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, which has held events at Centennial Hall.

Prout said many customers were uncomfortable with the “bring your own” aspect of the hall because of liability risks.

It is hard to cut people off when the policy is “bring your own,” because it’s generally unknown how much everyone is drinking, Prout said. With a bartender, it is much easier to monitor who is drinking and who needs to be cut off, especially in the case of fraternity and sorority parties.

Jessie Cushman, Phi Kappa Tau fraternity alumnus, said the fraternity has a good working relationship with Centennial Hall.

“The liquor license makes it a safer, more controlled atmosphere,” he said.

metro@cm-life.com