Posted: Nov. 18, 2009

Wauwatosa's four Walgreens stores will be able to sell beer and liquor now that the Common Council has approved its liquor license application, 12-3, but the chain's request sparked a debate on whether alcohol is becoming too accessible within the city.

This fall, Target, Aldi and Walgreens have applied for Class A beer and/or liquor licenses, which stipulate that alcohol be sold only for consumption offsite.

"I'd like us to look at the big picture," Alderwoman Linda Nikcevich said. "I see a trend that I'm concerned about and would like to address."

Nikcevich supported granting the licenses to Walgreens, but requested the Community Development Committee consider creating regulations and standards that would need to be met before a liquor license could be granted.

Her motion was denied, but by a narrow 7-9 margin.

Those in favor of scrutinizing the liquor licensing process said opportunities to buy are too prevalent, while those in opposition said it is not necessary to make changes when there have not been problems thus far.

Alderman Jerry Stepaniak said there are plenty of places where people can buy liquor, and with Wisconsin's reputation for binge drinking, adding more sales outlets could be overkill.

"I'm not sure we're not adding to the problem," he said.

Alderman Dennis McBride said he is not convinced the city is facing a problem of proliferation at this point, but more license requests could lead Wauwatosa in that direction.

Why not take a look at the location of liquor sellers in the city, as well as the number of liquor licenses in use, now rather than reacting after a problem develops, McBride argued.

"We need to make sure we don't become a city of liquor licenses," he said.

Alderman Thomas Herzog said the city can revoke licenses or not renew them if problems develop.

"I'm for controlling the alcohol licenses as we have been," he said. "The system is not broken. We can look at when their license comes up for annual renewal."

That option, however, sometimes leads the applicant to sue, City Attorney Alan Kesner said.

At this point, the city has granted 18 Class A beer and/or liquor licenses. This year, the reopened Target store on Capitol Drive, the new Pick 'n Save on Mayfair Road and the four Walgreens stores received license approval. The new Aldi store on Burleigh Street has applied, but company representatives did not attend the last Legislation, Licensing and Communication Committee meeting.

Alderman James Krol said the license requests are coming because stores want to be convenient for shoppers.

He said he is confident Walgreens will be a responsible seller of alcohol, pointing to the company's ability to lock out alcohol sales after hours, security sensors for wine bottles and a training course for employees who will be handling beer and liquor.

AT A GLANCE

The Common Council voted on whether to have the Community Development Committee review the city's liquor license standards. The motion failed 7-9. Here's how the vote went:

Aye: Peter Donegan, James Krol, Dennis McBride, Eric Meaux, Linda Nikcevich, Jerry Stepaniak, Jason Wilke

Nay: Cheryl Berdan, Don Birschel, Robert Dennik, Brian Ewerdt, Jacqueline Jay, Tim Hanson, Thomas Herzog, Jill Organ, Michael Walsh