Beery Interesting

Fayetteville’s 1998 regulation banning the sale of beer and wine in grocery and convenience stores should be removed from the books by the end of the year, said Kit Williams, the city attorney. That law was preempted by the state, he said.r

“We have researched the law and decided we can’t make it illegal,” Williams said. “We can still object … But I don’t want it on the books. If we can’t enforce it, we shouldn’t have it on there.”r

The manager of the E-Z Mart convenience store at 4026 W. Wedington Drive applied for a license to sell beer and wine, and the state Alcoholic Beverage Control board will likely consider that application in October, said Margie Ruple, document examiner for ABC.r

Fayetteville Police Chief Rick Hoyt sent a letter to ABC objecting to the E-Z Mart application saying it would be easier for minors to buy booze at convience stores.r

Also, Williams said, if a liquor store loses its license, it’s out of business. If a convenience store loses its license, it just stops selling beer and wine.r

“Once you have one that’s operating … and there’s not a lot of [trouble] with underaged buyers, then I think you’ll find other ones being established in other parts of town,” Williams said.r

Ruple said Crowder Hometown Market at 20983 W. Van Zandt St. in Springdale applied for a permit to sell beer and wine. That permit was denied in September but Crowder has appealed that decision.r

Williams said there are many old laws on Fayetteville’s books that need to be tossed. One requires that milk sellers be licensed according to a 1934 federal regulation and that the cows be inspected regularly.r

Bowen Arrow Express was the first convenience store in Washington County that ABC approved for the sale of beer and Arkansas wine. Bowen Arrow began selling beer and wine in June.r

Since then, Tontitown Alderman Leon Zulpo applied for a beer and wine permit for his Z-Mart convenience store but was turned down by ABC.