LIQUOR COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Consider Heinen’s request to amend the Class G2-Boutique Market to allow consumption on an adjacent outdoor patio
body
DEPARTMENT: Legal Department
SUBMITTED BY: Jennifer Bonner, Senior Assistant City Attorney
BACKGROUND:
On December 5, 2024, the Liquor Commission recommended approval of a text amendment to allow Heinen’s to serve and sell draft beer and self-service wine for on-premises consumption while customers shop throughout the store. As part of its review, the Liquor Commission also recommended the creation of a new liquor license classification, G2 - Boutique Market, to accommodate the request.
City Council approved the text amendment establishing the G2 - Boutique Market liquor license classification on April 2, 2025.
The G2 - Boutique Market liquor license includes several operational requirements intended to ensure that the license applies only to large, grocery stores. The license requires that the store occupies at least 45,000 square feet and limits alcoholic liquor display space to no more than 8% of the total merchandise footprint. To maintain the primary function of a grocery store, at least 80% of total gross sales must come from groceries. The license also requires a dedicated sales counter for the on-premises sale of beer and cruvinet (self-service) wine, along with submission of a drawing to the Liquor Commissioner identifying the designated service areas. These areas must be continuously monitored by video and supervised by a BASSET-certified employee. The license classification is capped at one unless City Council approves an increase.
Heinen’s is now seeking to expand its approved consumption area to include an adjacent outdoor patio. This request would extend the existing on-premises consumption privileges to a defined exterior space.