SURPRISING STUFF
Liquor licenses show down.
Lake Geneva has only had one reserve liquor license held back on the books for some time, and it’s been requested by several applicants over the last two years, only to have such requests shot down. The most recent application came in from the local grocery store; Steinbrink’s Piggly Wiggly. This grocery store already holds a license to sell alcohol beverages but wants to offer consumption of alcohol on the premises. This idea seems unfamiliar to many in the area but is not an unheard-of practice. The idea has been put into action in several different grocery chains around the nation. Whole Foods. along with other chains, has added bars and brewpubs to their customer’s shopping experience. Shoppers can drink beer, wine, and spirits right inside the store. Imagine walking around a grocery store after purchasing a drink of choice and then shopping.
This kind of impulse buying has the potential of being very profitable to the grocery business. Steinbrink’s doesn’t want to miss out on what they see as a cash cow. The idea is very new to this area, however. Most people are unaware that the old Gooseberries grocery store, now Berkot’s in Burlington, offered drinking to patrons while in the store. Concerns are definitely there in applying this new with this new practice, as grocery stores are frequented by families on a regular basis and then there is the idea of how does one get home legally and safely with groceries after a drink or two?
Right after Steinbrink’s applied for the liquor license an original license was returned to the city by Cuoco Pazzo, and hearing of that returned license two more applicants filed a request for it. The finance license and regulation committee heard from three applicants at their meeting last Tuesday.
Flat Iron Tap, located on Broad Street, was one of the applicants, and has applied before for a liquor license several times. Currently, Flat Iron offers beer and wine but has wanted to do more, which includes offering spirits. LG Axe throwing was the third applicant.
LG Axe Throwing is fairly new to Lake Geneva and also offers beer and wine and wants to include more options for its patrons. The finance license and regulation committee recommended Flat Iron Tap as the most fitting to receive the license and sent their recommendation off to the city council. Monday night the city council met and once again the three applicants had a chance to convince the council they were the right fit for the liquor license.
Place of the Week
Adrian’s Frozen Custard on Bridge Street in Burlington is open for the season. This is a true sign Spring has sprung.
