James Patterson, owner of Bella Luna Pizzeria, has enjoyed stellar business since he opened on Canal Road at the same intersection as the Orange Beach Recreation Center.

He came to the City Council on Tuesday hoping to improve upon that business by asking the council to let his pizzeria sell.

Bella Luna opened in early summer in the old location of Snapper’s Lounge. The then owners did extensive renovation.

The council was sympathetic to Patterson’s request, but because of an ordinance in place regarding the sale of liquor near schools, could not even discuss giving him the OK for liquor sales.

“Is there any reason to discuss this any further?” Mayor Tony Kennon asked. “It’s a violation of the current ordinance on the books.  The ordinance would have to be changed.”

Patterson received, via a compromise before the business opened, the right to sell beer and wine in his restaurant. That negotiation was mainly conducted by his former partner. He has since bought out the partner and sold his interest in the Bella Luna in Perdido Key to the same partner.

“You say liquor and that’s pretty tough,” Patterson said. “We don’t want to be a bar. We just want to be able to serve a cocktail before dinner. I’ve lost a lot of customers because we don’t.”

Patterson said he just wanted a fair playing field with the rest of the restaurants in Orange Beach.

“You’re near a rec center and a school and that’s a little bit different that some of the other areas,” Councilman Jeff Silvers said.