This is another controversial issue before the Shreveport city council.
Current city law does not allow the sale of hard liquor in grocery stores. A separate entrance/facility is required---think Albertson’s on Southfield.
The Shreveport Police officers who enforce the city’s alcohol sales favor the elimination of the “physical separation” requirement for the sale of liquor. They note that Shreveport is the only city/town/municipality in the state with the physical separation requirement. And yes---Bossier allows sale of hard liquor in groceries.
The opponents to elimination of this rule are, of course, liquor store owners. They cite shoplifting, underage sale of liquor, and exposure to liquor bottles to those under 21.
Evidently councilman John Nicholson buys into this logic. He also says there are too many liquor stores in Shreveport. His district has several liquor stores and grocery stores.
Those wanting the physical separation law to be revoked cite several reasons. These include level playing field with Bossier, convenience for customers, and free market competition without monopolies. Additionally they say, that this law actually encourages proliferation of liquor stores in Shreveport’s depressed areas.
Should the council also look to community involvement of liquor stores and grocery stores? Think ratio of black/white employees, sponsorships of community events, assistance to disadvantaged? And maybe total number of employees of liquor stores versus grocery stores.
Good reasons need to support city ordinances. And what may have been good reasons when an ordinance was adopted may not be good reasons today. Example—the sagging pants ordinance that was repealed.
It’s time to repeal the physical separation rule for grocery stores.