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Local liquor stores may be feeling a little more competition soon.
The Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Commission approved a new beer and wine dealer permit for Big Kmart, 3350 Lake City Highway, Thursday. They also approved a beer, wine and liquor permit as well as a Sunday sales permit for Ruby Tuesday.
Ruby Tuesday expects to open its doors in October and will be at the southeast corner of Center Street and U.S. 30. Construction on the facility will begin soon.
The manager of Big Kmart said their beer and wine sales will be located in the pantry division. A majority of the Big Kmart stores across the United States now sell beer and wine, he said.
ABC board member Howard Long asked how Big Kmart planned to prevent their customers under the age of 21 from buying alcohol. The manager said signs will be posted, liquor sales will be monitored and Big Kmart has a strict training program for their cashiers.
Supervisors over age 21 will always be on hand to scan alcohol sales. Cashiers under age 21 cannot scan alcohol products, he said.
Excise Officer Pat Fleck said, "The ABC commission suggests that if you have a question if someone is under 21, you ask them for ID."
Big Kmart will receive their permit in two to three weeks and then can receive alcoholic beverages.
Porthole Bar & Grille, 9215 E. Hatchery Road, Syracuse, was approved for a beer, wine and liquor retailer's permit and a Sunday sales permit. The ABC also approved a temporary order for Porthole to serve alcohol until their final permit is received next week.
Porthole Bar & Grille opened its doors to business in May.
In other business, renewals approved Thursday include a beer permit and Sunday sales permit for El Arriero, Warsaw; beer and wine permits for The Store, Atwood, and Knights of Columbus Council #4511, Warsaw; beer and wine permit and Sunday sales permit for Wagon House Restaurant, Pierceton; beer, wine and liquor permit and Sunday sales permit for South Shore Country Club, Syracuse; beer, wine and liquor permit for King's Keg, North Webster; beer and wine permit for Pizza Hut, North Detroit Street, Warsaw; and a Sunday sales permit for Lil's Anchor Bar, Syracuse.
ABC meets at 2 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Board members include Gordon Vanator, secretary Howard Long and president Darwin Call.
