Making grocery shopping fun again

Schnuck's Markets believes a glass of wine might enhance the grocery shopping experience.

Dave Fontana, representing Schnuck's Markets, asked the  Ladue City Council to consider a special use permit allowing them to serve liquor by the drink in their Ladue stores.

The company has similar stores in Des Peres and Downtown.

"It goes along with the same concept as Busch's Grove Market and that is a market with a component that has a certain amount of dining and the ability to have a glass of wine or beer," Wooldridge said.

City Attorney John Maupin suggested creating a special category for city restaurants inside established grocery stores that would cover Busch's Grove Market and Schnuck's. It would allow liquor by the drink in a grocery store. This would limit hours, protect residents and the city's interest."

Wooldridge told Patch.com that the zoning and planning commission would consider the Schnuck's request. "The commission will then send it to the council for review. At that point, they will decide whether they agree with the commission's recommendation, then we will look at changing the number of liquor by the drink licenses."

Lori Willis, director of communications for Schnuck's, said that Schnuck's has "expressed interest in acquiring a by-the-drink permit in order to expand our services to our grocery customers in Ladue.  The by-the-glass services at our Des Peres and Culinaria stores have proven to be popular with customers and for those participating in wine education classes including wine and food pairing events."

Years ago, most every Schnuck's had a Station Restaurant where locals would meet for business and pleasure.  Willis said the last one, located in Collinsville, Ill., closed in 2005.

However, the concept is enjoying a resurgence with the FRESCO area at the Des Peres Schnuck's and the open counter where customers can see chef demonstrations. The Wildwood store also features this concept.