Councilman’s qualms about liquor license go flat

McCOOK, Neb. — Despite the concern of one council member, the rest of the McCook City Council approved modifying a liquor license to allow beer to be sold with pizza at a local store.

The item came from the consent agenda, that’s usually approved in one motion with other consent agenda items. Mayor Mike Gonzales, on behalf of Councilman Jerry Calvin who was absent from Monday’s regular council meeting, pulled for discussion the application to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission submitted by Suhr Enterprises, Inc., dba “Gary’s Super Foods IV” at 212 Westview Plaza, to add Godfather’s Pizza to the licensed business.

Gary’s Super Foods IV already has a Class C license; this application would allow the business to sell beer at the newly-opened “Godfather’s Pizza” area located inside the store.

City Manager Nate Schneider said Calvin had contacted him about the item and cited potential issues about controlling alcohol from leaving the premises. Specifically, Calvin asked if there would be some kind of barrier between the Godfather’s Pizza eating area and the rest of the store. According to Schneider, Calvin said he wasn’t opposed to the issue but noted how bars have security in place to make sure people are not walking out with alcohol in hand.

Calvin told the Gazette on Tuesday that it’s about safety and security of liquor use and making sure the beer stays inside the store. “I love having a cold beer with pizza,” he said, “but how do we make sure people don’t walk out the door with it?”

Schneider said in conversations with a representative at the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, the city council can put conditions on liquor license applications before approval.

Schneider said he understood Calvin’s concern, adding that the current business owner would not have an issue if a condition like a movable fence was required. “I don’t think anyone would get upset about it one way or another,” he said.

But Councilman Gene Weedin said he saw no need for the stipulation. He likened the situation to the wine tasting events the store periodically hosted under previous ownership. At those events, there didn’t seem to be a problem with people drinking alcohol in the store and those who didn’t care to be around it, didn’t have to attend, he said. Council member Janet Hepp agreed.

Mayor Gonzales said he understood the concern but didn’t think it was an issue “the council has to worry about.”

Discussion appeared to stop at that point, followed by a vote. The council unanimously agreed to approve to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission the application from Gary Super Foods IV to include Godfather’s Pizza with the current Class C liquor license in place at the store.