With the state recently changing the state’s bar closing time from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m., local bar owners are hopeful the city of Albert Lea will amend their current local law to go along with the new state one.

&uot;If they don’t (change the closing time), cities like Austin and Owatonna will do it, and kids who want to go out are going to drive over there,&uot; said Brad Hegwood, owner of the Nasty Habit bar in Albert Lea.

&uot;We need to be in synch with the other bars elsewhere,&uot; he added.

The law will go into effect statewide in July, but cities can make their own decisions on whether they will adopt the state law into their municipal law. The city of Albert Lea has made no change to their law yet.

&uot;If it’s asked for we will put it on the agenda,&uot; said City Manager Paul Sparks.

So far, Sparks said, no bar owners have asked his office to put the item on the agenda.

Hegwood said he has talked to some city councilors who he hopes will bring the item up.

&uot;I’d just hope they’d do what is business wise for this town,&uot; he said.

Hegwood, like other bar owners, said that he supports making the change for &uot;obvious reasons.&uot;

&uot;If we stay open longer, we get more business,&uot; he said.

Jeff Fjelstad, a city councilor and owner of the Aragon Bar, said, as a bar owner, he sees the same benefits.

&uot;I’m all for this,&uot; he said. &uot;I guess I’d just schedule the extended hours for my busier nights. I’d like to give my employees the option to close at 1 (a.m.) if they’d like, but for the six really busy nights of the year it’d be a nice option.&uot;

Both Fjelstad and Hegwood said they would be willing to pay more for a liquor license if the city adopted the plan.

Hegwood guessed he would pay between $400 and $600 more per year for the license, but said it would be well worth it.

While many have been outspoken against the later bar hours, saying there would be an increased safety issue, especially for drinking and driving, Assistant Police Chief Dwaine Winkels said he doesn’t believe it will cause many more problems than there already are.

Though the issue is not expected to be put on the agenda for Monday’s city council meeting, the possibility exists. It’s a possibility that Hegwood is banking on.

&uot;It’s only a month away,&uot; he said. &uot;I just think it’d be in their best interest. It would benefit my business greatly and a lot of other bars in town.&uot;