Alcohol Permit Applications Being Processed

Saturday, December 1, 2012

— The state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division is processing dozens of applications after the Nov. 6 election making Benton County wet was certified Monday.

At A Glance

Who Gave

Donations from restaurants, stores and hotels to Keep Dollars in Benton County:

-E-Z Mart Stores: $22,000

-Kum & Go: $20,000

-Casey’s General Store: $10,000

-Embassy Suites: $2,000

-21c Museum Hotel: $2,000

-Fred’s Hickory Inn: $1,000

-Table Mesa: $700

-Flying Fish: $500

-Tavola: $300

Source: Arkansas Ethics Commission

County voters approved the retail sale of alcohol by a measure of almost two to one Nov. 6. There were 51,487 votes for alcohol sales and 27,193 votes against alcohol sales, according to the Benton County Clerk’s Office.

The first permits could be issued as early as next month, according to Michael Langley, head of the division.

Grocery and convenience stores will be the first to get permits to sell beer and wine. Convenience store chain Kum & Go has applied for permits at its eight Benton County locations, manager Mark Myer said.

Like the Kum & Go chain, most stores had their applications to the division soon after the election. Now that the vote has been certified, the division can move forward with recommendations.

“It’s what customers want,” Myer said. “We’re anxious to see sales help support the county and state and keep those tax dollars in Benton County.”

Several convenience store chains contributed to the effort to get alcohol sales on the November ballot. E-Z Mart donated $22,000, Kum & Go donated $20,000 and Casey’s General Store gave $10,000 to Keep Dollars in Benton County, the group that led the petition drive for ballot access.

The push largely was paid for by brothers and Walmart heirs Steuart and Tom Walton. The two donated a combined $588,000 to the $663,450 effort, according to an Oct. 30 report filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission.

Langley said his office can begin sending out applications and packets for liquor stores next week. Hearings for liquor stores will begin this summer, with the first permits issued in June or July.

The county will be allowed up to 55 liquor stores. A drawing will be held between April and June to determine the order applicants can take their petition before the board, Langley said.

The division will send its director of education, Rick Crisman, to Bella Vista Thursday night for an informational meeting on the county’s newly wet status. He will answer questions and highlight what the changes will mean for permit holders and residents.

Bella Vista’s Property Owners Association scheduled the meeting as a courtesy to its members and business owners. The meeting is open to the public. It is set for 6 p.m. at Riordan Hall, 3 Riordan Drive.