MONROE - After all the preparations and trips to city committees and the City Council to get their planned unit development (PUD) and agreements passed, why has Wal-Mart waited until now to seek a liquor license?
Ron Fager, Monroe Wal-Mart store manager, said there probably are two reasons.
"The PUD has nothing to do with it," he said. "That was the process just to get the Wal-Mart building OK'ed. After a certain point (in starting a new store), the licensing department takes over and starts deciding what products will be carried in the store."
According to Fager, not every Wal-Mart sells the same things.
Fager said Monroe has the only store that still sells fabric in the area.
"All the Wal-Mart stores around me have discontinued fabrics," he said.
Monroe's store also still carries guns.
The other possible reason for the liquor license request is that a new regional manager took over about 30 days ago.
"He's been checking into every Wal-Mart to see which ones would benefit from the sales of alcoholic beverages," Fager said. "We'd like to get into that category and get a license,"
Fager said he is interested in selling "beer and wine only."
The next question is whether Monroe aldermen are interested in increasing the city's quota of Class A licenses for Wal-Mart, and how many other business owners have been waiting in line for a license.
The fee for Class A intoxicating liquor license is $500.
The fees for a Class A fermented malt beverage license is $25.
Ron Fager, Monroe Wal-Mart store manager, said there probably are two reasons.
"The PUD has nothing to do with it," he said. "That was the process just to get the Wal-Mart building OK'ed. After a certain point (in starting a new store), the licensing department takes over and starts deciding what products will be carried in the store."
According to Fager, not every Wal-Mart sells the same things.
Fager said Monroe has the only store that still sells fabric in the area.
"All the Wal-Mart stores around me have discontinued fabrics," he said.
Monroe's store also still carries guns.
The other possible reason for the liquor license request is that a new regional manager took over about 30 days ago.
"He's been checking into every Wal-Mart to see which ones would benefit from the sales of alcoholic beverages," Fager said. "We'd like to get into that category and get a license,"
Fager said he is interested in selling "beer and wine only."
The next question is whether Monroe aldermen are interested in increasing the city's quota of Class A licenses for Wal-Mart, and how many other business owners have been waiting in line for a license.
The fee for Class A intoxicating liquor license is $500.
The fees for a Class A fermented malt beverage license is $25.