Short Liquors application opens discussion on Carbondale liquor laws

Pinch Penny Liquors, one of now 8 stores with a license to sell packaged liquor

You wouldn't think that a liquor store's application for a license to sell packaged liquor would be the beginning of a sea change in liquor laws here in Carbondale, but that's precisely what Short Liqours' application, passed last Tuesday, has the potential to do.

Before Short Liquors applied for a license there were only 7 stores licensed to sell packaged liquor in the area: ABC Liquors, Old Town Liquors, One Stop No. 7, Pick's Liquors, Pinch Penny Liquors, Warehouse Liquor Mart, Westroads Liquor Mart, and Blue Fish Liquor and Cigars.

The law also bans the sale of packaged liquor in grocery stores and gas stations.

Short Liquors' application raised the total number of licenses allowed to 8, in order to make way for the new liquor store. But it also began a discussion in Carbondale's city council about potentially changing the city's liquor laws.

Laws like these aren't unique to southern Illinois. Even cities as big as New York City have disallowed the sale of liquor in grocery stores for decades. Recently, grocery stores in New York have lobbied to broaden the city law in order to allow the sale of liquor in store. This, of course, strikes fear into the heart of small liquor store owners whose business depends on sales which might otherwise go to a grocery store.

But how might a city law change here in Carbondale affect the craft beer market, and could it be positive for growth? For a smart opinion piece about what could happen, see the blog post by Carbondale's local Beer Philosopher, Shawn Connelly. Connelly notes that less than 90 miles away in Cape Girardeau, Schnucks carries a selection of craft beer rarely seen in southern Illinois. Schnucks grocery stores, in fact, carry a fine selection of craft beer in their St. Louis stores, as well, also only about 100 miles away. With a Schnucks in the heart of Carbondale, it is reasonable to expect that a change in the liquor laws would mean more craft beer competition, and thus a greater influx of craft beer--not just in grocery stores but in small liquor stores that already have a leg up on the competition. It could mean not that small iquor stores would go out of business but that they would specialize in better beer and the market for it would grow.

The immediate issue has been resolved--whether or not to make room for an eighth license for Short Liquors--but the discussion about liquor laws has just begun. Connelly urges those interested in craft beer to make their voice known, and you can do so easily with an e-mail to one of Carbondale's city council members. The city council members, their e-mails and phone numbers can be found here on the Carbondale City website.

In the meantime, you can read more about Short Liquors' application for a liquor license in two articles from the Southern Illinoisan "Commission to vote on awarding eighth liquor license" and "City might uncap liquor restrictions"; and read the implications for craft beer at the Beer Philosopher's website.