Liquor Sale Permit Vote Reconsidered

Residents may yet be able to buy liquor at the Thrifty-Payless store on Harbor Boulevard.

City Council members narrowly defeated a request last month to grant the store a liquor permit, saying the area already has enough outlets selling alcohol. But a lengthy memo from Thrifty management to the council persuaded members to reconsider.

Councilman John Collins, who voted against the permit, said Thrifty officials have made some pertinent arguments about why adding liquor at the store, which already sells beer and wine, would be a public convenience.

Businesses typically are asked to show that selling liquor would be necessary or convenient to the public before getting permits.

“They haven’t addressed the issue of necessity, but they have at least attempted to address convenience,” Collins said.

Other council members agreed to reconsider the issue sometime in September.