DECATUR — Residents in the Westside Eagle Observer’s coverage area soon won’t have to drive far to purchase beer or wine.
Four businesses in Gentry, Decatur and Gravette have applied for a permit to sell alcohol, according to weekly reports on the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division website www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/abc.
The Walmart Express stores in Gravette and Gentry have submittedpermit applications to sell beer and wine. The EZ Mart convenience stores in Gentry and Decatur have also submitted applications to sell beer and wine.
Benton County residents overwhelmingly voted to legalize retail alcohol sales in Benton County during the November election. As of Dec. 7, a total of fortyfour Benton County businesses have submitted applications for permits to sell retail beer and wine.
Rachel L. Smith submitted applications for permits to sell retail beer and wine from small farm wineries for off premises consumption at the Gentry and Gravette Walmart Express stores during the week of Dec. 7. In addition, 12 other Walmart stores in Benton County have applied for a permit, as well as the Bentonville Sams Club.
John Desadier submitted applications for similar permits for the Gentry and Decatur EZ Mart stores during the week of Nov. 30. He also submitted applications for 13 other EZ Mart locations in Benton County.
The businesses must prominently post a sign, for at least 30 days, announcing they have applied for permits, according to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division’s website www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/abc.
According to the website, the division’s director and board will considerfactors such as the number of alcoholic beverage permits in the proposed area, the types of existing alcoholic beverage permits in the area, the suitability of the location and building, the potential impact on churches and schools in the area, input from local law enforcement officials and other public officials, and opposition or support from nearby residents.
News, Pages 3 on 12/12/2012