A new Dollar General Store on the outskirts of Texarkana in a community known as Genoa can now sell beer and wine -- despite public opposition and an initial denial by Mary Robin Casteel, director of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Administration Division.
The Alcoholic Beverage Control board voted 4-1 Wednesday to overturn Casteel's denial and approve the off-premises retail beer and small farm wine permit for Dollar General No. 18532.
Casteel denied the application July 12 after area residents objected, many from the First Baptist Church Genoa whose parking lot abuts the back of the store.
Andy LaGrone, a deacon of the church and a justice of the peace for District 8 in Miller County, said in an opposition letter that Genoa was a nice, quiet community with "some very nice people, many of which have moved out of Texarkana to be away from the alcohol, drugs and wild lifestyle that is dominant in town."
LaGrone took issue with the fact that the notice of application for the permit -- which is required to be publicly posted within plain view -- was applied to a front door that was blocked by bags of charcoal and lighter fluid.
"I firmly believe that they are trying to sneak this in," LaGrone said in the letter.
The items were there for an impromptu sidewalk sale, Dollar General District Manager Michael Ashley told the commissioners when asked.
"The merchandise blocked it," he said. "It was not done purposely."
The nearest store that sells alcohol is about five miles away from the Dollar General.
"So it is not like they will die before they can get a fix," LaGrone wrote. "Please take this into consideration before you grant them a license to ruin a very nice place the majority of folks around here like to call home."
Neither LaGrone nor any of those opposed to the permit appeared at the appeal hearing.
Agency board member Mickey Powell also noted there was no letter of opposition in the file from the church's pastor.
"It's a great application. This is one of the better operators we have," Powell said. "I just hate to run over the local residents."
The board quizzed Ashley, the Dollar General district manager, about the procedures and security in place to prevent selling to minors or serving intoxicated patrons.
Dollar General employees undergo training to properly sell the alcoholic beverages, Ashley said, and the register prompts the store clerks to ask for identification and a verbal date of birth from customers. Security cameras are also aimed at the register as well as the beer and wine display areas, Ashley added.
Offering beer and wine at the store is solely for customer convenience, he said.
"When you get off work, you can stop, pick up a six-pack and go home and watch a ballgame," Ashley said.
In the end, board member Steven Smith was the only dissenting vote.
Metro on 09/17/2018