Posted 8:45 am Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Beer, Wine Arrive In Jacksonville
KYTX CBS19 VIDEO
By MICHELE REESE
KYTX CBS19
Seven weeks ago, voters approved the sale of beer and wine in Jacksonville. This weekend, one Jacksonville grocery store got its license to sell it, and already the beer has been flying off the shelves.
KYTX CBS19
Seven weeks ago, voters approved the sale of beer and wine in Jacksonville. This weekend, one Jacksonville grocery store got its license to sell it, and already the beer has been flying off the shelves.
“We got the beer in Friday night, and ever since 7:30 p.m., we've been seeing all kinds of new faces in here,” Super Gallo Mercado Manager Tony Wilburn said.
Cold brew is in the fridge at the Super Gallo Mercado in Jacksonville.
“It's a lot better — more convenient — for everybody,” Jacksonville resident James Hull said as he picked up a 12-pack of beer.
Cold brew is in the fridge at the Super Gallo Mercado in Jacksonville.
“It's a lot better — more convenient — for everybody,” Jacksonville resident James Hull said as he picked up a 12-pack of beer.
In just 48 hours, the store has sold 1,600 cases of beer.
“A lot of thirsty people — a lot of excited people,” Wilburn said.
The first person to buy a six-pack was George Douglas.
“This was just a good, super beginning,” Douglas said.
Douglas is the man behind bringing to beer and wine to Jacksonville. He headed up Progress Jacksonville.
“To see the fruition of our work come to a successful conclusion made me feel good,” he said.
Douglas is keeping his receipt from the historic occasion. He said it proves why Jacksonville should be selling beer and wine.
“Sales tax was 99 cents,” he said while looking at the receipt. “It shows it could be 99 cents that went outside the city.”
Wilburn said the profits aren't just in the bottles.
“The beer is getting them in the store, and they buy stuff to go with the beer — the ice and coolers and snacks. It doesn't only help beer sales, but definitely helps store sales overall,” Wilburn said.
Another 12 businesses have applied for permits to sell beer and wine.
They should get their licenses sometime this week.
In the meantime, Wilburn is happy being the only stocked store in town — for now.
“A lot of thirsty people — a lot of excited people,” Wilburn said.
The first person to buy a six-pack was George Douglas.
“This was just a good, super beginning,” Douglas said.
Douglas is the man behind bringing to beer and wine to Jacksonville. He headed up Progress Jacksonville.
“To see the fruition of our work come to a successful conclusion made me feel good,” he said.
Douglas is keeping his receipt from the historic occasion. He said it proves why Jacksonville should be selling beer and wine.
“Sales tax was 99 cents,” he said while looking at the receipt. “It shows it could be 99 cents that went outside the city.”
Wilburn said the profits aren't just in the bottles.
“The beer is getting them in the store, and they buy stuff to go with the beer — the ice and coolers and snacks. It doesn't only help beer sales, but definitely helps store sales overall,” Wilburn said.
Another 12 businesses have applied for permits to sell beer and wine.
They should get their licenses sometime this week.
In the meantime, Wilburn is happy being the only stocked store in town — for now.
