Moorestown Awards First Retail Liquor License In Township History

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown has awarded its first plenary retail liquor license after approving the sale of alcohol in stores earlier this year.

Moorestown Council approved a resolution to award the license to Opco, LLC, of Pennsauken for $1,000,008 during its meeting Monday night. Opco made a $250,002 down payment and paid a $2,500 application fee, according to a copy of the resolution posted on the township’s website.

With the approval from Township Council, Opco can now submit an application to the state’s Division of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) for final approval. There will be a $200 fee that comes with that application, to be paid to ABC.

Opco has not yet selected a site for its store, but one is not needed for approval. It is also not needed for Moorestown to begin collecting its payment.

Moorestown Council approved the sale of retail liquor licenses in the township back in April. Read more here: Retail Liquor Licenses Get Final Approval In Moorestown

In June, Township Council authorized the issuance of two new plenary retail liquor licenses, to be sold for a minimum bid of $1 million each. Read more here: 2 Retail Liquor Licenses To Be Sold In Moorestown

Opco submitted the only bid, which was opened on July 26, according to Township Manager Kevin Aberant.

“For decades, Moorestown dollars have been spent in Mount Laurel, Maple Shade, Cinnaminson, Delran, Cherry Hill and many other communities for liquor that is consumed here,” said resident Mark Hines, who participated in a subcommittee that explored the issue. “Now Moorestown can start participating in this revenue and keep it in our town. “The awarding of this liquor license will eventually come to provide significant revenue to Moorestown. It provides economic development to the area where the new business will be located, and it creates new jobs.”

After years of not permitting the recreational sale of alcohol in the township, Moorestown voters approved the sale of liquor licenses in certain areas by referendum in 2011. Read more here: 'Yes' Wins: Moorestown Liquor Referendum Passes

After a judge ruled during a subsequent court case that the township couldn't limit the use of those licenses to the mall, the township passed legislation to permit the wider sale of alcohol in the township, but still reserved to certain appropriate areas.

Any liquor store built in Moorestown would have to be 200 feet from a home or a school, and they are explicitly banned from being built on Main Street and Lenola Road. Read more here: Liquor Stores, Microbreweries Under Discussion For Moorestown