Grocer asks city’s OK for customers to buy, drink booze at store

Posted on August 9, 2018

Green Top Grocery cooperative is asking the Bloomington City Council to adopt a new liquor license classification. It would allow customers to buy packaged beer and wine, and allow them to have a drink at the business before taking the rest home.
*(File photo)*

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington aldermen will decide Monday night whether to create a new liquor license classification permitting businesses to sell packaged beer and wine, and allowing customers to have a drink at the store before taking the rest home.

The request comes from Green Top Grocery, the cooperative on East Washington Street, which has struggled at times to boost sales during its first year in business.

Currently, packaged liquor can not be consumed at an establishment.

The city’s liquor commission recommended the new classification, and a staff report said no one spoke against the change at a June commission meeting.

Businesses like Green Top would have to pay the city a $1,000 license fee the remainder of this year, $1,000 in each of the next two years, and $1,200 annually year starting in 2021.

The proposal is part of the city council’s consent agenda, which contains items considered routine and can be passed on a single vote without council discussion.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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