MONROE - The new Wal-Mart superstore has asked for a "Class A Fermented Malt Beverage and Liquor License."
Figuring out what they want has been a challenge.
Figuring out what they will get is an ongoing process.
In a letter to the city dated March 27, Casie Perkins, the licensing compliance coordinator for Wal-Mart stores, stated the ability to sell packaged liquor at the superstore would give customers "the complete 'one stop' shopping experience."
The request must first go to the Monroe Judiciary and Ordinance Review Committee.
Under state law, Monroe is able to issue two types of Class A licenses.
Class A "fermented malt beverage" licenses allow for the sale of only fermented beverages made with barley malt and hops, beer.
Class A "intoxicating liquor" licenses allow for the sale of packaged intoxicating liquors and fermented malt beverages; that is, hard liquor, wines and beer.
Vicki Sinclair, supervisor in the Wal-Mart licensing compliance office in Bentonville, Ark., said the company is seeking the intoxicating liquor license. However, if that is not available, they would settle for the fermented malt beverage license.
Monroe Wal-Mart Manager Ron Fager said his intention is to sell only wine and beer. To accomplish that, Wal-Mart needs to have the intoxicating liquor license.
But the city has no available licenses of either type to issue.
According to City Clerk Carol Stamm, Monroe's city code is stricter than state statutes on the number of Class A licenses that can be issued. State law sets no limits on the number of Class A licenses a city can issue, Stamm said, and the city can amend its ordinance to increase its Class A quota.
The last time Monroe visited its city code on alcoholic beverages was in February 2007.
City code limits Class A and Class B licenses to 30 total.
Class B licenses are for businesses that sell drinks "by the glass for consumption on the premises," commonly known as bars.
Monroe has seven Class A and 23 Class B licenses issued.
The number of allowed Class B licenses is set by state law. Monroe has hit its limit for those. The city last year created two other restricted licenses for fermented malt beverages and for wine served in restaurants. It limits those categories to a total of 12.
Figuring out what they want has been a challenge.
Figuring out what they will get is an ongoing process.
In a letter to the city dated March 27, Casie Perkins, the licensing compliance coordinator for Wal-Mart stores, stated the ability to sell packaged liquor at the superstore would give customers "the complete 'one stop' shopping experience."
The request must first go to the Monroe Judiciary and Ordinance Review Committee.
Under state law, Monroe is able to issue two types of Class A licenses.
Class A "fermented malt beverage" licenses allow for the sale of only fermented beverages made with barley malt and hops, beer.
Class A "intoxicating liquor" licenses allow for the sale of packaged intoxicating liquors and fermented malt beverages; that is, hard liquor, wines and beer.
Vicki Sinclair, supervisor in the Wal-Mart licensing compliance office in Bentonville, Ark., said the company is seeking the intoxicating liquor license. However, if that is not available, they would settle for the fermented malt beverage license.
Monroe Wal-Mart Manager Ron Fager said his intention is to sell only wine and beer. To accomplish that, Wal-Mart needs to have the intoxicating liquor license.
But the city has no available licenses of either type to issue.
According to City Clerk Carol Stamm, Monroe's city code is stricter than state statutes on the number of Class A licenses that can be issued. State law sets no limits on the number of Class A licenses a city can issue, Stamm said, and the city can amend its ordinance to increase its Class A quota.
The last time Monroe visited its city code on alcoholic beverages was in February 2007.
City code limits Class A and Class B licenses to 30 total.
Class B licenses are for businesses that sell drinks "by the glass for consumption on the premises," commonly known as bars.
Monroe has seven Class A and 23 Class B licenses issued.
The number of allowed Class B licenses is set by state law. Monroe has hit its limit for those. The city last year created two other restricted licenses for fermented malt beverages and for wine served in restaurants. It limits those categories to a total of 12.