Icon (Close Menu)

Logout

Beer, Wine Permits Soon To Be Served in Saline, Columbia Counties

1 min read

With voter approval Nov. 4 of alcohol sales in Saline and Columbia counties, retailers have been lining up for permits.

In Saline County, 25 separate entities have applied with the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Division for 32 permits to sell beer or wine, and in Columbia County, five people have applied for six permits to sell beer or wine, all as of Thursday.

Most of the Saline County applicants so far are convenience stores, like the Big Red chain, though the Icehouse Grill in Benton is seeking state approval to sell beer and wine, and the Raymond McGill Post 2256 VFW, also in Benton, is seeking approval to sell beer.

The ABC board is meeting Wednesday, and ABC Director Michael Langley said the first beer and small farm wine permits will be issued Thursday.

Before the November election, only private clubs in the two counties could sell alcohol.

Retail liquor stores are the next frontier. ABC will allow 21 in Saline County and four in Columbia County. The permitting process will begin the first week in March and hearings will be held at the board’s August meeting, Langley said.

Send this to a friend