24-hour bar vote tabled in Wildwood

Wildwood's City Commission has decided not to vote on an ordinance that would have allowed bars to stay open 24 hours a day.

The commission faced a standing-room-only crowd during a hearing Wednesday night.

Mayor Gary DeMarzo said the ordinance needed tighter restrictions.

Commissioners initially considered allowing the bars to remain open an extra hour after 3 a.m. But on July 7, they abandoned that in favor of the 24-hour suggestion by Club Luna manager John Davis.

Davis says the additional time would help the town's struggling bars in a difficult economy and eliminate the streets filling with patrons when bars close.

Commissioner Al Brannen urged bar owners to find new ways to attract customers.