Business owners complain about Hot August Nights restrictions

Sales were down $11,000 a day during the five-day event at Friend's Liquor and Convenience Store on South Virginia Street, estimated clerk Mujibuo Kahn.

Shooters Saloon owner Frank Scibilia said his sales were down 65 percent because customers couldn't take a beer to the curb to watch the cars.

Garry Sidha, owner of Silver Spur Liquor and Gifts, said his Saturday sales during the event declined from $25,000 four years ago to about $4,000 this year.

Allowing people to have a drink on the streets is the only way to reverse the trend, Sidha said.

But Reno police hailed the tigher restrictions on alcohol sales, saying they led to fewer arrests at last week's event.

Police sought the restrictions after a riot broke out at last year's Hot August Nights celebration and resulted in more than 250 arrests.

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