Recent rumors have circulated that the BG Liquor Outlet would close or lose its liquor license, but the store is actually in the beginning stages of expansion.
The outlet will actually be increasing its floor space to accommodate more selections of beer, wine and liquor and adding a “growler station,” said Manager Mario Kiezi.
A growler station is a bar with 12 taps of popular craft beers in which customers can buy 64-ounce containers of freshly tapped beer, Kiezi said.
The extra floor space will also accommodate more room for wine tasting events, he said.
“We’ve had record sales in the last year,” Kiezi said. “If we were going out of business, you wouldn’t see our shelves fully stocked.”
The origins of the false rumor stem from a ballot that passed on Election Day allowing Kroger to sell alcohol on Sundays and the ability to obtain a contract to sell spirituous liquor, meaning liquor above 21 percent alcohol. Some rumors suggested Kroger may eventually take over the outlet’s license.
As of now, Kroger has no immediate plans to obtain a contract, but is exploring all options, said Kroger Spokesperson Jackie Siekman.
For Kroger to obtain a contract to allow it to sell spirituous liquor, it would have to apply for a contract or buy another business with a contract and apply for a license transfer through the Ohio Division of Liquor Control, said Division Spokesperson Matt Mullins.
A transfer of a contract to a different location takes roughly 10 to 12 weeks, Mullins said.
Wood County has and, is only allowed, five carry-out spirituous liquor stores, he said. The five in the county are BG Liquor Outlet, Cork’s Wine and Liquor in Rossford, a Rite Aid in Northwood as well as a Rite Aid in Perrysburg and Woodbury Market in Millbury.
The county is allowed an additional liquor store based on a population ratio of one store per an additional 20,000 people with a base of 40,000, Mullins said. To have six stores, a county would need 60,000 people and for an additional store, it would need 20,000 more.
Wood County’s population is 125,488, according to the 2010 census, which would allow for nine stores total.
The division would have to be willing to put out a contract and pick a location before it can accept bids from companies, which would then have to meet certain requirements from the division, Mullins said.
At this time, the division is not looking to open a new location in the county, he said.
While Kroger can still buy a business with a contract and request a transfer, Siekman said nothing has been discussed as of yet. Kroger has transferred licenses and contracts before and the closest Krogers that sell higher proof liquor are in Toledo, she said.
Kiezi said he heard about the rumors from some customers two weeks ago, but this is the first time a rumor of closing has spread.
BG Liquor Outlet will not lose any of its licenses or permits, he said.
“We’ve got a 10-year lease left, we’re not going anywhere,” Kiezi said.
