More Beer in Huntingdon

HUNTINGDON (August 26) — The Huntingdon Town Council and Beer Board reviewed requests to sell beer at Cashsaver (E.W. James) and Laredo’s Mexican Grill during their August meetings Tuesday.

In a petition to the town council, Cashsaver store supervisor Jackie Streetman requested the council’s consideration to allow packaged beer sales for off-premises consumption at the Huntingdon grocery store.

The Town of Huntingdon’s municipal code prohibits businesses located within 1,000 feet of a school, church or public gathering place — including public playgrounds and parks — from selling beer for on- or off-premises consumption. Huntingdon’s Cashsaver location is situated across the road from Thomas Park, a veteran memorial site. The store’s petition argues that the park should not impact the business’s ability to sell beer because it is a memorial site, not a recreational park.

Streetman said other E.W. James stores in the area sell beer and wine products; one specific store’s beer sales outsell all other stores’ total sales. She said Cashsaver is at a competitive disadvantage to other retailers in the area.

Streetman said the current restriction results in missed revenue opportunities for Cashsaver and the Town of Huntingdon, as increased revenue would translate into more tax dollars reinvested into the local economy.

The council — sans Daniel Eubanks, who was absent from the meeting — voted unanimously to review footage between the store and Thomas Park and consider amending the municipal code ordinance’s language.

Immediately after the town council meeting, the Huntingdon Beer Board considered Laredo’s Mexican Grill’s application for an on-premises beer permit. The restaurant, located at 21440 Main Street East, is the chain’s sixth location and opened in August.

The beer board approved the restaurant’s application.

Present Huntingdon Town Council and Beer Board members were Mayor Chad Edwards, Vice Mayor Andrew Maddox, Town Attorney Robert T. Keeton III, Chad Barnhart, John Sanders, Will Atkins, Lori Dillahunty and Kelly Eubanks.