INDIANAPOLIS -
Some neighborhood groups are furious over plans to sell beer and wine at several Dollar General stores in Marion County.
The Marion County Alcohol Beverage Board, set to vote on the first ten permits Tuesday, has agreed to delay the decision until next month, giving the discount retailer more time to make its case.
A company spokesperson says that includes talking to opponents. Tennessee-based Dollar General bought 30 beer/wine dealer permits at a state auction in November.
Reached by phone, spokesperson Tawn Ernest said, "We know our customers buy beer elsewhere. We want to make sure we offer convenience and deliver the products they want to purchase."
But not everyone thinks that's a good idea. Kelli Mitchell and Kathy Brummert shop often at the Dollar General at 2182 N. Mitthoeffer Road.
"It should remain for food and clothing. Kids go in there a lot," Mitchell said.
"They shouldn't turn everything into alcohol stores, which is to me what they're trying to do," Brummert said.
That's Norm Pace's position. Pace is with the Far East Side Neighborhood Association.
He said the alcohol board is "getting carried away. It's over-saturated, like candy at a candy store. I'm just saying, 'Come on guys.'"
Pace said there were "pubs, taverns, CVS, Marsh all selling alcohol."
Nancy Beals with Drug Free Marion County says she is also very concerned.
"We have an overabundance of stores that sell alcohol for carry-out. In fact, we are over the quota," Beals said.
Beals cited studies showing the higher the concentration of stores selling alcohol, the more police runs there are in an area.
Another worry, Beals says, "People of all ages can shop at a Dollar General and we feel it simply makes alcohol more available and accessible to young people."
Vincent Walker couldn't agree more.
"A Dollar General, that's a place you go with family and you just don't go in and say I want a beer. It's not like that," he said.
But Frank Harmon, who lives next to the store on Mitthoeffer Road said he doesn't see a problem with allowing alcohol sales.
"Beer and wine aren't something I worry about," Harmon said. "I don't see them buying it and sitting on the wall over there and guzzling it down. As long as it's take home, I don't think I'll have a problem with it."
Will Barnes, who owns a pizza place near a Dollar General on Allisonville Road, said he, too, was okay with the store selling beer and wine.
"I don't have a problem with any of them having liquor licenses. I don't know why they would be excluded when grocery stores are allowed to sell it," he said.
"Some of the concerns (of opponents) are misplaced," said Ernest.
She said about one third of Dollar General's 9,900 stores nationwide now sell alcohol and that data will show the problems feared haven't materialized. But Pace and Beals remain unconvinced. The same for other groups that have taken a position against the permits.
The alcohol board is expected to hear the first ten petitions for Dollar General at its March 19th hearing.
