WATER VALLEY (AP) — A north Mississippi town is easing its beer regulation in a move that could help save one of its oldest downtown buildings.

Water Valley aldermen have voted to let restaurants sell beer even if a customer is not expected to order a meal.

The Oxford Eagle reports that businessman Terry Warren requested a permit to demolish a Water Valley building that is more than a century old. He bought the Wagner building in 2017 , intending to open a restaurant and bar. Warren says the town’s beer ordinance that required a meal prevented him from using the building as he wanted.

The building is an element of Water Valley’s Main Street District. The district is on the National Register of Historic Places.