Alaska Commercial Co. plans new liquor store in Bethel | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Alaska Commercial Co. plans new liquor store in Bethel

Original Publication Date March 28, 2019 - 9:26 PM

BETHEL, Alaska - An Alaska retailer is seeking to open a liquor store in Bethel again after state regulators declined to renew its license last year.

Alaska Commercial Co. wants to take over the license for Kusko Liquor and open a shop inside a former convenience store, Alaska's Energy Desk reported Thursday.

The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board would have to approve the transfer, and the city would have to approve a conditional use permit.

The company plans to submit an application for the city permit by Friday and hopes to get the matter on the state board's agenda next month, said Walt Pickett, the company's vice-president.

The company hopes to get all paperwork completed by May, and then renovate the Bethel space to open in July, Pickett said.

"It's never been about not operating in Bethel. It's been finding the correct location to operate in Bethel," Pickett said.

AC Quickstop's liquor store opened in 2016, but it was shut down in May 2018.

Bethel residents had testified against the store, saying it had caused several problems for the city and the surrounding community. Some residents complained that it was too close to homes and schools. City officials said the store caused a strain on emergency resources because the number of alcohol-related calls for services increased after the store opened.

The company will take steps to limit the amount of hard liquor people can buy, Pickett said.

The store will also have security cameras and stay updated on the state's "do not sell list," he said.

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Information from: KYUK-AM, http://www.kyuk.org

News from © The Associated Press, 2019
The Associated Press

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