ABC approves liquor permits for two local Walmart stores
The Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Board approved liquor permits for two Fayetteville Walmart stores and denied an application for another store yesterday.
Walmart Neighborhood Market on Crossover was approved by a vote of 3-1 while the Walmart Supercenter on Mall Avenue was unanimously approved.
The Walmart Supercenter on MLK (formerly 6th St.) was denied on its application.
ABC director Michael Langley said that the board denied the MLK Walmart permit based on availability, traffic and crime concerns.
“The board felt that there are plenty of available outlets in that area. Also, there were concerns over traffic and the crime rate near the MLK store,” Langley said.
The stores approved will be permitted to sell beer and small-farm wines, which come from wineries that produce less than 250,000 gallons a year.
According to walmartcommunity.com, there are currently 35 Walmart and Sam’s Club locations in Arkansas that sell beer and wine.
The Target store in Fayetteville has also applied to sell retail beer and that decision will come sometime in January. It is uncertain whether or not the Walmart decision would affect the application for Target Stores.
“I won’t know until we get up there and get into it,” said Langley. “We consider these (applications) on a case by case basis.”
Comments
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Me
November 20, 2009
Woo hoo!
Me
November 20, 2009
I guess that means Sue Madison has run away to Amish country since our area will be crawling with underage drinkers and criminals now?
halfdeserted
November 20, 2009
Yay!
Mixed Blessing
November 20, 2009
It’s more convenient and makes sense, but like the guy in article below says, I’m much more likely to spend my paycheck on beer at the expense of feeding my family.
http://www.nwanews.com/news/2009/nov/20/panel-oks-liquor-permits/
Sarah Tomlin
November 20, 2009
Can anyone tell me why they’re only permitted to sell “from wineries that produce less than 250,000 gallons a year.”
I’d like to get an understanding of why that is….
ryan
November 20, 2009
The wine restriction is bizarre.
Todd Gill
November 20, 2009
@Sarah Tomlin – The small-farm winery permit is something that they applied for. In other words, it’s not so much a restriction as it is a specification. I’m not an expert on all of the types of permits, though, so I don’t know the reasons why a business would specifically apply for small-farm winery sales only.
yrfuneralmytrial
November 20, 2009
The rub has never been about about underage drinking. There’s more sec cameras in Wal-Mart than any liquor store. The bone of contention is current liquor store owners, many of whom have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars, now have competition that they were never meant to have. The rules have changed…mid-game. At least that’s the heat I’m hearing.
Sarah Tomlin
November 20, 2009
@yrfuneralmytrial I agree with your comment. Something seemed weird about that.
And @Todd Gill….Ok I see it sort of differently now….but I still wonder why they would choose to limit what types of wine they sell. It seems it would be only detrimental to their sales unless of course there are local wineries….and even then…
Tony Wappel
November 20, 2009
What does crime rate have to do with a place being allowed or not allowed to sell alcohol? I grew up in East St. Louis, Illinois and if crime rate had anything to do with being allowed to sell alcohol, that city would have been completely alcohol free; but I’m sure the crime rate there wouldnt have been any different without alcohol. Wake up ABC and get into the 21st century!!
burgerboy
November 21, 2009
I don’t really have a dog in this hunt, but I don’t see why or how this is a big deal.
The only effect I can see this having is potentially driving some local business owners out of business, and sending that money to Wal-Mart. I don’t think that’s something to be happy about.
I’d way rather go to a local liquor store than go to Wal-Mart.
David Franks
November 21, 2009
Perhaps the greeters will also serve as sommeliers: “Thank you for shopping at Walmart. This nice Chianti will go nicely with liver, which is on sale to your left there.”
carrotkitten
November 23, 2009
Um …. Isn’t the Wal-Mart near the mall at one of the most heavily traveled intersections in the state? That argument about traffic and crime at the 6th st. Wal-Mart doesn’t wash with me!
Donkeylips
November 23, 2009
For real, since when has that area had a crime problem?
yrfuneralmytrial
November 23, 2009
“crime problem”: it’s code for poor people.
rigolets9
November 24, 2009
The lack of rational consideration in these matters, will always exist because Arkansas has in its DNA a bible-belt autocracy, not a fair market. They look like foolish children with their ludicrous attempts at justification. This state reinforces its backwards image with this kind of deportment while hypocrisy reigns; with the idea that scripture will stop humans in the pursuit of pleasurable activity, while all the while not covering hundreds of thousands in this state without health insurance. Arkansas deserves to have a chip on its shoulder. By the way, my leaving will not change this DNA.
Jimmy
December 4, 2009
http://www.homefacts.com/crime/Arkansas/Washington-County/Fayetteville.html
Crime rate doesn’t look that high at all. I don’t understand the concern.
Ben
March 10, 2010
having worked at the MLK walmart for several years, there is something to be said about “crime” in that area. maybe crime is being used as a euphemism for “high concentrations of homeless people in the nearby area.” regardless of the intention, a lot of issues had to be addressed there concerning loitering, soliciting, and shoplifting. all the time. while i am not blaming this on any particular cause, there did seem to be some sort of correlation between the proximity to the interstate and the sizable population living in finger park.
regardless, i think there should be beer in the store.
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