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Wal-Marts Seek OK to Sell Beer, Wine |
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Friday, 09 May 2008 |
Wal-Marts may soon start selling cold ones if requested liquor licenses are approved by the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
The store on Rosedale Highway in Bakersfield, Calif., applied for a license to sell beer and wine that would be consumed off-site. Alcohol sales aren't new to the retailer, but they are new to its Bakersfield locations, a company spokesman said.
Wal-Mart has sold alcohol at its Supercenter locations since 1988, said Aaron Rios.
A general merchandise store in Napa was the first in the Golden State to sell wine in 2001.
Store buyers will help determine what types of beer and wine would end up on Bakersfield's shelves, Rios said, adding the beer and wine selection would be competitive and meet consumers' needs.
"If consumer demand calls for us to react to what our competitors are doing, we try to be out in front," he said.
The Bakersfield City Council, Planning Department and Bakersfield Police Department are notified when liquor license applications are received.
Sgt. Greg Terry said his department does not have the same concerns about a big-box retailer seeking a permit as it would with a "smaller liquor store or convenience store that may be in a neighborhood," Terry said.
Members of the public may share their thoughts about pending liquor licenses with the district office of Alcoholic Beverage Control, which serves Kern, Inyo and Mono counties.
A Wal-Mart in the northeast, near East Hills Mall, has also submitted a liquor license request. As of Wednesday afternoon, the public comment deadline wasn't known.
Although they are part of a chain, each store has to apply for its own liquor license, said John Carr, public information officer for the state department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
Applications must be advertised for 30 days and investigations that determine if a license will be granted can take 55 days to 65 days.
Copyright (c) 2008, The Bakersfield Californian |
