Town council debates Sheetz liquor permit amid upcoming ballot initiative

The City Council of Tallmadge, Ohio, convened on February 27, 2025, to address several agenda items, with a significant focus on a proposed liquor permit for Sheetz, a convenience store chain. The discussion began with a presentation regarding Sheetz's request for a liquor permit that would allow for beer, wine, and mixed beverage sales, including sales on Sundays. However, it was noted that Sheetz had withdrawn its initial request for on-premise beer consumption.

City officials explained that Sheetz's application faced complications due to the lack of approval for alcohol sales at their future location in Precinct 4B. The company plans to circulate petitions for a precinct vote to authorize alcohol sales, but they have missed the deadline for the May ballot. Consequently, they are aiming for a November vote, with hopes of opening the store by late September or October 2025. If the ballot initiative is approved, it could take until January or February 2026 before alcohol sales could commence.

The council was presented with a legislative notification form from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control, which required a decision on whether to hold a hearing regarding the permit. The only basis for such a hearing would be the lack of authorization for alcohol sales at the proposed location. City Law Director Raber advised that requesting a hearing would be largely procedural, as the state would not issue a permit without local approval.

Council members discussed the implications of holding a hearing versus not holding one. It was noted that if the council chose not to request a hearing, the Ohio Department of Liquor Control would retain Sheetz's permit application until after the election results for the ballot initiative. The council ultimately faced a decision: to either proceed with a hearing, which would not change the outcome, or to allow Sheetz to continue its application process without further delay.

In conclusion, the council's discussions highlighted the procedural complexities surrounding the liquor permit application for Sheetz, emphasizing the importance of local approval in the broader context of community concerns and regulatory compliance. The council's decision will influence the timeline for Sheetz's alcohol sales, pending the outcome of the upcoming precinct vote.