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Fayetteville convenience store denied alcoholic beverage permit Thursday, May 29, 2008 By John Lyon Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board on Wednesday rejected a Fayetteville convenience store's bid to become the first such establishment in the city to sell beer and wine. The board unanimously upheld ABC Director Michael Langley's rejection of an application by E-Z Mart for a permit to sell beer and wine at its store on West Wedington Drive. No convenience store in Fayetteville has such a permit. Harry Hamlin, attorney for E-Z Mart, said Washington County is not adequately served by existing liquor outlets. There are only 32 locations to purchase liquor in the county, compared to 460 in Pulaski County, he said. Liquor is available almost exclusively at liquor stores in Washington County, creating an anti-competitive environment, Hamlin said. "We don't have competition in Washington County, at least in terms of beer and wine sales," he said. Representing the Washington County Beverage Association, a group of liquor store owners, attorney Ray Green said Washington County is different from other counties because of its high population of college students. "Those kids are constantly, constantly trying to buy beer," Green said, adding that the store is a short distance from the Fayetteville Boys and Girls Club. Representatives of the Washington County sheriff's office and the Fayetteville Police Department also urged the board to deny the permit. Board member Tony Ellis, who moved to deny the permit, said he agreed that Washington County "is a different kind of county." Ellis also said he was concerned about flaws in the application and the impact that beer and wine sales would have on the neighborhood. In other business, the board voted unanimously to approve a private club license for Shogun Japanese Steak, Seafood & Sushi on Gilmore Drive in Jonesboro. The only person to speak against the application was Bob Hester, director of the Arkansas Family Coalition. Hester presented 1,615 signatures of people opposed to the application and said the community is already adequately served. John Heringer Jr., the restaurant's owner, said there is no place in Jonesboro that serves the type of cuisine available at his establishment and serves alcohol. The board also voted unanimously to grant a private club permit to Angel's Place, a club planned for South First Street in Jacksonville. Jacksonville City Administrator Jay Whisker raised several concerns about the club's business plan. Jay O'Neal, an officer in the business, assured the board the club would not be a biker club or a gentlemen's club. |
