Hinsdale Takes Hard Line On Hard Liquor

HINSDALE, IL — Hinsdale trustees agreed on a line that the village should not cross — allowing hard liquor at gas stations.

They were responding to a request by the BP gas station at 149 E. Ogden Ave. to sell hard liquor, in addition to the beer and wine it now sells. The owner noted his business has had no liquor violations since its current license was issued. He also said allowing such sales would bring more sales tax money to the village.

But at this week's Village Board meeting, the request found no support. Trustee Scott Banke said while he was fine with beer and wine sales at gas stations, hard liquor was a no-go for him. The village, he said, needed to put a "line in the sand."

"We're putting ourselves in a position where the gas station across the street is going to want this, and then Mobil will want it," Banke said.

Trustee Luke Stifflear said he had a tough time articulating his position, saying he was "trying to choose my words carefully."

"My preconceived notion is that generally people who are buying a fifth of Jack Daniels or hard liquor may be more risky and may be a different kind of clientele," he said, as opposed to "a casual person buying a bottle of wine before going home for dinner."

Stifflear said it was the same reason as his opposition to bars in Hinsdale where customers can immediately start drinking without buying food. He also said if Hinsdale voted for BP's request, it must approve those of other gas stations.

"Otherwise, we're picking winners and losers," he said.

Now, packaged hard liquors can only be sold at Whole Foods Market and Walgreens, according to the village.

Village President Tom Cauley joined in the opposition.

"It's just the feel of it. I just don't think gas stations in Hinsdale should sell hard liquor," he said. "That's a line."

The BP owner, Pride Stores, also requested the village let it sell glasses of beer and wine at its restaurant, Urban Counter, in the same building.

Trustee Hughes said while Urban Counter was a "legitimately fine eating establishment," allowing such sales on the same property as a gas station seemed like a bad idea. He said someone could be coming home from work and have beer or wine at Urban Counter and then "hop on the tollway."

The other trustees agreed. They took no vote on either request.

In the request for hard liquor sales, Pride Stores owner Mario Spina noted the tax benefit for the village. This would occur, he said, "since it is another convenience for our customers. Instead of having to make multiple stops to purchase craft beer and a nice bottle of bourbon, they can purchase both at our store."

Spina also cited Pride Stores' experience.

"We are aware of how to handle the addition of spirits to our offering since we already have spirits in numerous locations," he said.