Committee hears proposal to allow liquor licenses for Schoolcraft College marketplace
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Summary
Representatives and industry witnesses described a proposed bill package to permit a grocery/marketplace on Schoolcraft College property to obtain a liquor license for on-site sale and consumption, arguing it would provide workforce training for culinary and distillation students.
Representatives from the region and business leaders told the House Regulatory Reform Committee that a proposed bipartisan bill package would allow a grocery-marketplace on Schoolcraft College campus-owned land to purchase a liquor license on the open market and operate an on-site market with consumption and sales.
Representative Linting said the proposal would enable a full-service marketplace on campus that “serves students, faculty and the surrounding community” and would allow students in Schoolcraft’s brewing and distillation and culinary programs to gain practical, on-the-job experience selling products produced on campus. Representative Colazar said the license would support workforce and economic development in Wayne County and the broader Midwest.
Glenn Cern, identified in committee as president of Schoolcraft College, described the college’s culinary reputation and the educational opportunity the marketplace would offer. Leo Salvaggio, owner of Nino Salvaggio’s, testified the company is building a new, state-of-the-art store on campus and described plans for student internships across culinary, marketing and accounting functions.
Salvaggio stated the campus store would be approximately 48,000 square feet; he described a 50,000–56,000 square-foot range for other sites and estimated roughly 10,000 square feet dedicated to culinary/prepared-food operations in one existing store. He said the liquor license would likely be owned by the Salvaggio family and the business would operate under a long-term lease with the college.
Committee members asked about scope. Representative Hovley asked whether the license would be limited to products made on-site; witnesses said it would allow distribution relationships and sale of other spirits. Neutral testimony cards from the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission were read into the record.
No committee vote was taken on the Schoolcraft bills during the hearing.