Story Ideas
Niche theory proposes that in areas of high alcohol availability, alcohol sales outlets will compete for patrons by diversifying their operating characteristics to provide a diversity of drinking contexts. We aimed to characterize features of outlet operations that contribute to increased risk of alcohol problems across communities. We conducted ethnographic observations in 97 on-premise outlets across six California cities and interviewed staff and patrons in a subsample of these.
San Diego likes to think of itself as the craft beer capital of the world, and it’s no surprise since it boasts over 130 breweries throughout the county.
Municipalities are eyeing the craft brewery industry as a source of economic growth, and some are amending their municipal codes and zoning designations to accommodate the industry. National City and Lemon Grove are allowing ‘use by right’ zoning of microbreweries to expand the areas where they can operate.
