Dollar General applies for license to sell beer and wine

The new Dollar General at the corner of Roanoke Ave and Marysville Blvd is applying for a liquor license and that has prompted concern within the community.

Dollar General’s application has caused a mix of outrage and fear the community will have another store selling alcohol.

What remains unclear is what Dollar General is proposing to sell.

Below is a look at the type of liquor licenses provided by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, what licenses are currently held by surrounding businesses, and whether Dollar General would have an impact.

Liquor licences explained

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has two Off-Sale Licenses:

  • 20 – Off Sale Beer & Wine (Package Store): Authorizes the sale of beer and wine for consumption off the premises where sold. Minors are allowed on the premises.
  • 21 – Off Sale General (Package Store): Authorizes the sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits for consumption off the premises where sold. Minors are allowed on the premises. 

These licences are typically held by markets, gas stations, and other businesses, the difference being what those establishments can sell.

If the store has an Off Sale Beer & Wine License, then it is allowed to sell Budweiser, Coors, Miller, Franzia Wine, and other beer and wine products.

Image Sources: Budweiser, Coors Light, and Miller Lite

A store holding an Off Sale General License is allowed to sell beer and wine products along with spirits (distilled beverages / hard liquor) such as Hennessy Coniac, E&J Brandy, Svedka Vodka, and Captain Morgan Rum.

Image Sources: Hennessy, E&J Brandy, Svedka Vodka, and Captain Morgan

Stores with an Off Sale Beer & Wine license are not allowed to sell spirits / distilled beverages.

Who serves what?

Dollar General is surrounded by multiple businesses holding Off Sale licenses. These businesses are:

  • Arcade Market
  • Bill’s Liquor & Deli
  • Express Stop
  • Four Oaks Market
  • Haggin Oaks Market
  • Lucky Express
  • Market Basket
  • Mini Mart
  • Quik Stop
  • Rainbow Market

Of these business only three – Arcade Market, Bill’s Liquor & Deli, and Rainbow Market – hold an Off Sale General License allowing them to sell spirits. Lucky Express holds an On Sale Beer and Wine License.

The remaining businesses hold an Off Sale Beer and Wine license.

Will Dollar General overfill the glass?

Dollar General is applying for an Off Sale Beer and Wine License, the same license that the majority of surrounding businesses already have.

It is also doubtful that alcohol will be sold for a dollar. A Dollar General circular in Texas lists the price of Spring Creek Wine at $3.00 (750ml). Barefoot Wine was $5.50 (750ml).

Dollar General Circular

All of this is not to advocate in favor of Dollar General selling alcohol but rather to simply point out the type it would sell – beer and wine – should it obtain a license and that it most likely wouldn’t be sold for one dollar.

Voicing a concern to ABC

Individuals wishing to voice their concerns / protest the application to ABC can do so by filling out Form ABC-510-A and Form ABC-128 by January 12, 2014.

Refer to the instructions regarding what a protest must contain.

Once complete, sign the protest and mail or hand deliver the protest to ABC’s office at:

2400 Del Paso Road, Suite 155
Sacramento, CA 95834

Protests can also be faxed (916-419-3994) or scanned and emailed in .pdf or .jpg format to SAC.Direct@abc.ca.gov.

This flowchart details the application and protest process.

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