The Alcoholic Beverage Board voted 3 to 1 to grant beer and wine permits to the Walmart Neighborhood Market on E. Citizens Dr. in Fayetteville and the Walmart Supercenter on Mall Ave.
Michael Langley with ABC says the board felt confident the retailer could handle the responsibility.
"Walmart is a company very committed to not having alcohol sales to minors and have some very strong systems to protect that," said Langley.
The board did deny the permit for the Walmart Supercenter on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. According to Langley, there were already enough liquor stores in the area and the location has a higher crime rate.
The Fayetteville Police Department initially objected to alcohol sales at local Walmarts. Sergeant Bill Phelan says this is just two more places the department has to monitor for underage drinking.
"Just two more establishments we're going to have to watch and I'm sure since they've gotten it there will be some other retailers that will also apply that will stretch us even thinner," said Phelan.
Although it will be an added challenge for the department, Phelan says they are committed to working with the retailer to keep problems to a minimum.
"We'll have to treat it just like we do any business. In fact today we've already met with Walmart and tried to come up with some ideas and they are willing to work with us on different techniques," said Phelan.
Laurie Smalling with Walmart Stores, Inc. says the retailer is disappointed with the denial of one of the permits. As for the other locations she said "We are pleased that the permits were approved and look forward to being able to serve our customers with this added convenience."
Smalling says they are expecting to get those permits sometime next week. They expect beer and wine to be on the shelves in about a month.
Michael Langley with ABC says the board felt confident the retailer could handle the responsibility.
"Walmart is a company very committed to not having alcohol sales to minors and have some very strong systems to protect that," said Langley.
The board did deny the permit for the Walmart Supercenter on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. According to Langley, there were already enough liquor stores in the area and the location has a higher crime rate.
The Fayetteville Police Department initially objected to alcohol sales at local Walmarts. Sergeant Bill Phelan says this is just two more places the department has to monitor for underage drinking.
"Just two more establishments we're going to have to watch and I'm sure since they've gotten it there will be some other retailers that will also apply that will stretch us even thinner," said Phelan.
Although it will be an added challenge for the department, Phelan says they are committed to working with the retailer to keep problems to a minimum.
"We'll have to treat it just like we do any business. In fact today we've already met with Walmart and tried to come up with some ideas and they are willing to work with us on different techniques," said Phelan.
Laurie Smalling with Walmart Stores, Inc. says the retailer is disappointed with the denial of one of the permits. As for the other locations she said "We are pleased that the permits were approved and look forward to being able to serve our customers with this added convenience."
Smalling says they are expecting to get those permits sometime next week. They expect beer and wine to be on the shelves in about a month.
