Local Liquor Store Sues Over Safeway Beer Expansion

BOULDER, CO -- Full-strength beer can now legally be sold at Colorado grocery stores, but one local liquor store remains ready to defend its turf. The sales restrictions of the 3-2 era may no longer apply, but the city's Beverage Licensing Authority must approve any related expansion in a store's liquor sales area, and according to reporting from the Daily Camera, that's where Bailey Wine & Spirits owner Erik Lebsack believes that something has gone wrong.

Lebsack's business is in the Meadows shopping center, just a few storefronts from the 4800 Baseline Rd. Safeway location that was recently granted approval to expand its beer department.

According to a suit filed Jan. 16 by Lebsack's attorney, the city didn't follow its legal processes and procedures in making the decision.

"My store is barely 350 feet from Safeway. Beer is 40 percent of our sales," Lebsack told the Camera. He also said that he provided 325 signatures opposing the expansion of Safeway's beer department, while the grocery store only collected 136 that indicated neighborhood support for the project.

Get the full story from the Daily Camera here.

Do you like this article? Join the Boulder Patch on Facebook! Stay in touch with the news and events that shape Boulder County. Sign up for your free Patch newsletter here.

Photo credit: Shutterstock