NEENAH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Neenah Common Council voted 7-2 Wednesday night to repeal a convenience store alcohol ban in place for more than 40 years.
Currently, 52 businesses sell alcohol in Neenah. With the ban’s repeal, 11 convenience stores will be added.
There have been several attempts to repeal the ban over the years, but none have succeeded.
Councilmember Mark Ellis told us it was a long road.
“We’ve brought it up for council a couple of times to have consideration, then the appropriate department heads cultivated and sculpted what it should look like,” Ellis explained. “They brought it back to the public works committee, which approved it.”
Ellis, who supported the repeal, says it will lead to positive outcomes for Neenah.
“We’ve made a lot of progress on alcohol awareness, that this will be leveling the playing field for the city of Neenah, and make life more convenient for the residents,” he said.
Councilmember Lee Hillstrom, who was against the repeal, told FOX 11 it may draw in larger convenience store chains, which could put local shops out of business.
“A small convenience store is not going to be able to compete if a Speedway or Kwik Trip or Circle K builds across the street from them,” he said. “They’re going to go to where the main intersections are, which is where some of the small convenience stores are now. There’s no way they can compete with them.”
Kelly Schoepke, a manager at a Krist Oil gas station in Neenah, told us selling alcohol will allow them to draw in more customers and show them what else they have to offer.
“I think it’s a long time coming. I think it’s been wanted by the Neenah area,” she said. “The people have come in here and spoke about how they would rather be able to stop in and just grab their beer on their way, like the convenient one-stop. It’s a very positive thing throughout the community.”
The city ordinance states the repeal is effective immediately. City officials don’t yet know how much a license to sell alcohol at convenience stores and gas stations will cost.
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