Every grocery and convenience store will need a liquor license to sell beer under a new Utah law

Beer in a supermarket, Salt Lake City, Utah, undated. | File photo courtesy of Ben Winslow, Fox13now.com, St. George News

SALT LAKE CITY — Under a new law passed by the Legislature, every single grocery and convenience store in Utah that wants to sell beer will have to apply for a liquor license.

Beer on display inside a Harmon’s Grocery store. Undated | Photo by Ben Winslow, Fox 13 News, St. George News

According to a report from Fox13Now, these businesses will apply for “off-premise” beer licenses that will subject them to new regulations from Utah’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The DABC said it will begin taking applications in July, when the law takes effect.

“The licenses were previously local and now with the new legislation, it will be overseen by the state,” DABC Commissioner Neal Berube said.

Mom-and-pop convenience stores and mega-grocery chains will face inspections and, if there are violations, fines or revocation of their beer license.

There are also new restrictions being put in place limiting beer displays to only two areas in a store and signage clearly warning that people are purchasing an alcoholic beverage.

The DABC is bracing for an increased workload.

Read the full story here:  Fox13Now.com.

Written by BEN WINSLOW, Fox13Now.com

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright 2018, KSTU. A Tribune broadcasting station

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14 Comments

  • SSTEED April 25, 2018 at 4:03 pm

    I guess its a good thing we already go out of state for that; I mean we were going to the weed store anyway so its no big deal. I’m totally on board with designating a clearly marked area for it and we should also do it with GMO foods; but big brother says we can’t be adults, so our only option is to continue to behave like children.

  • Carpe Diem April 25, 2018 at 5:35 pm

    So does this mean the bullies in Temple Square will drop their archaic 3.2 laws?

    Think again, DWI now only .050!

    • DB April 26, 2018 at 4:51 pm

      3.2 beer is on the way out. From what I understand, there are so few states left that want the stuff, producing it is no longer economical. Will you then have to go to the DABC store to buy a six pack of Bud? Don’t know.

  • Real Life April 25, 2018 at 6:51 pm

    Mormons need to cease control of the DABC. You are making yourselves look really stupid.

  • hiker75 April 25, 2018 at 7:51 pm

    The state needs to back off! This is sure a Mormon controlled state. It is a miracle the state attracts businesses to move here.

  • ladybugavenger April 25, 2018 at 7:58 pm

    My suggestion is to go out of utah to buy alcohol. Make their sales go down. Lower the profits, therefore, messing with statistics of alcohol sales vs alcohol related incidents, and then the church/state will have to renegotiate this contract. (it will be an unwritten silent protest, perfecto!)

  • comments April 25, 2018 at 8:06 pm

    I don’t actually care. Ever since I had a bunch of delicious craft beers the store-boughten stuff is all just goat urine. Even the supposed-german store beers are all garbage. All watered down goat urine. Not only goat urine, but they had to water it all down. I just don’t understand it.

    • Mike P April 26, 2018 at 9:53 am

      I’ve made my own beer for years and it’s legal ( And good! ). I love trying new Craft beers and there are some really good commercial beers out there if you look around, but this latest trend of EVERYTHING being an IPA has got to end. Not everyone is a Hipster or Millennial.

  • PlanetU April 25, 2018 at 8:43 pm

    Can Utah get any dumber? A sign letting people know they’re buying alcoholic beverages? mormons , get out of the business.
    I’ve lived here 25 years and the liquor laws never advance just regress. While I do buy beer in the grocery store I have spent zero in the liquor store, run for the border! Mesquite! THE church is not getting my money, my wine money……

  • commonsense April 25, 2018 at 8:47 pm

    This is crazy. Grocery stores need to carry all brands os beer and wine. Get government out of liquor retailing. Store clerks can check ID.

  • HerePliggyWiggy April 26, 2018 at 8:03 am

    I’ve already noticed a slight up-tick in the DABC prices. It will only go higher – like the gas tax. Gotta feed those inbred Plygs! Keep ’em voting the right way! KEEP SWEET GIRLS!!!!

    I like that the weed store and Lee’s Discount Liquors are on the same road! 🙂

  • PatriotLiberal April 26, 2018 at 10:17 am

    When I buy alcohol, I go to Mesquite have some fun and STILL save money.

  • Striker4 April 26, 2018 at 3:26 pm

    go to Nevada for your weed and booze for your cotton mouth and then stop and grab some groceries for the munchies and then come back to Utah. ! oops I said cotton now I’m a racist !

  • An actual Independent April 28, 2018 at 7:37 am

    Warning signs? When’s the last time you “accidentally” bought beer? And how the hell could you “accidentally” buy beer in Utah? This place is so ridiculous.

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