Carbondale city leaders take up the topic of alcohol sales

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - Carbondale city leaders are taking up the topic of alcohol again.

Tonight, the Carbondale liquor advisory board meeting got underway.

One of the many issues on the agenda was whether gas stations and convenient stores can sell alcohol.

And, if so, under what conditions can they sell it.

Right now, shoppers cannot buy any form of alcohol at a gas station or convenience store.

But the owner of a convenience store in Carbondale is hopeful the city ordinance will soon change.

Trace Brown just opened the Marketplace-Shell station but he's already put beer and wine advertisements up.

Brown says he ordered the signs and put them up in the hopes that the city would allow stores like his to sell alcohol.

He adds such a change is bound to help the city's revenues.

"Instead of our customers coming here, because our customers come in here and want to buy alcohol, most of them are going to the east," said Marketplace Shell owner Trace Brown. "They're going to the costumers to the east, Herrin, and buying it."

Last month, the city council voted to allow beer and wine sales at grocery stores during certain hours.

But the council limited the number of licenses to eight.

And, businesses must apply for those permits.

Meanwhile, people are starting to head inside for the meeting tonight.

Again, the advisory board is expected to take up the topic of if gas stations and convenient stores can sell alcohol and what kind.

The board then makes a recommendation to the city council which has the final say.

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