Wal-Mart and 2 convenience stores have applied for a Class D liquor license in the City of Vandalia. And, they had their first readings for those applications at Tuesday’s meeting.
Vandalia Wal-Mart Store Manager Ken Wamble spoke to the City Council on their plans. Wamble says the liquor at Wal-Mart would be sold at a separate area in the front of the store in the area where the Salon and Game Room previously were located. Wamble says that location would have specific hours with a locking, slide-down gate to remain secure when the section was closed. Wamble added the purchases of liquor would have to be made in that area and there would be a specific cashier for the liquor section. And, that the cashier is required to be over 21 years of age.
As for the convenience stores, Meyer Oil–which operated the convenience store at 701 Veterans Avenue that is connected to Burger King–have applied for a Class D liquor license and they were not on hand for the meeting. Also applying for a Class D license was Wortman Holdings, which operates the Convenience Store at Sunset Drive & Route 185. John Wortman also owns part of the Mach 21 Liquor Store in Vandalia. He talked about their liquor store and that allowing liquor sales at Wal-Mart and the convenience stores would certainly hurt the stand-alone business.
But, Alderman Russ Stunkel defended Wal-Mart potentially getting a liquor license.
One citizen was on hand and was opposed to the added liquor licenses. Also, a representative of Harry’s Liquor Store and two employees from Mach 21 Liquor Store addressed the council and opposed to the added licenses. Wortman spoke again, leaving the City Council with some thoughts before a vote is taken.
No vote was taken at Tuesday’s meeting as it was the first reading for the applications. A vote would presumably be taken at the March 4th Vandalia City Council meeting.
Meanwhile, two other applications for liquor licenses were discussed at Tuesday’s meeting. And, we’ll talk about those coming up tomorrow.
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