A Falls Township convenience store plans to sell beer and possibly wine.
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The Falls Township Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 Monday evening to approve the transfer of a restaurant liquor license from Middletown Township to the Country Farm convenience store at 91 Makefield Road in the Shoppes at Makefield Village. Supervisor Erin Mullen voted against the move, and Supervisor Jeff Boraski was absent.
The Country Farm store has been operating in the shopping center for 20 years and now plans to sell beer and possibly wine, said Dave Berger, an attorney representing the business.
The Country Farm store plans to sell alcohol from a case that will be locked outside of permitted hours and would focus on takeout customers, Berger said.
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A restaurant liquor license requires a licensee to allow onsite consumption of alcohol, but the store’s focus would be on takeout.
Supervisors Chairperson Jeff Dence said the plan by Country Farm is similar to the in-store dining and alcohol consumption available at many grocery stores, including ones in the township.
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“They have tables, but I don’t think I’ve seen anyone using them,” he said of grocery stores, noting how limited in-store beer consumption is at those locations.
Resident Aaron Mackey raised concern about the onsite consumption component of the license and the fact schools are near the store. He called it a “little awkward” that it is a restaurant liquor license and not a distributor liquor license.
Mullen also raised the point that there are many kids living near the store.
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Berger said staff will follow state law on not selling alcohol to minors and make sure kids don’t access the product.
“They will be trained to spot anything like that,” Berger stated of store staff.
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Over the past 10 years, sales of alcohol in grocery and convenience stores has grown significantly. The move makes sure the business can compete with grocery stores, Berger said.
“It’s kind of a survival type thing,” Berger said.
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