O.C. Business Groups Neutral on BYOB Question

One week remains until the Tuesday, May 8, election decides the contentious BYOB question.

The public will decide in a binding ballot question whether to allow patrons to bring their own beer and wine to Ocean City restaurants.

Ocean City's resort economy has been a central part of arguments on both sides of the issue — with the supporters of the initiative suggesting that BYOB restaurants could help Ocean City become a year-round shopping and dining destination, and with opponents suggesting that BYOB could jeopardize Ocean City's golden reputation as a "family resort."

The Ocean City Restaurant Association voted to launch the petition drive that led to the May 8 public question, but the rest of Ocean City's prominent trade groups have taken no official position on the issue. 

• Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce: No position
• Boardwalk Merchants Association: No position
• Main Street Ocean City: No position
• Retail Merchants Association: No position
• Ocean City Board of Realtors: No position
• Ocean City Hospitality Association: No position
• Ocean City Restaurant Association: Supports BYOB

In a nonbinding resolution passed in January 2011, , and . But in recent months, both City Council and the mayor have expressed a desire to see the question decided by the public.

The polls are scheduled to be open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8.

The city just  on the night of May 8 via TV, text, website, Facebook and Twitter.