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Board and public debate beer-and-wine sales as way to attract grocery and retail
Summary
Board members and several attendees discussed whether allowing beer and wine sales would help attract grocery stores and increase sales tax revenue; some board members supported placing the question on a future ballot and connecting policy to broader economic objectives.
Several board members and members of the public raised the issue of whether Keene should permit beer and wine sales to attract a grocery store and other retail that could increase local sales tax.
A board member said the city's historical voting pattern had limited alcohol retail in the past but that changing demographics and new subdivisions mean the issue deserves reconsideration as part of the town's economic strategy. City councilman Bob Chapman told the board he had been approached by other council members and said, “my response was yes,” when asked whether he would back moving the question forward; Chapman said establishing the rules in advance would help potential grocers decide whether to locate in Keene.
Speakers emphasized different scopes for change, from allowing only packaged beer and wine sales in stores (not on-premises bars) to broader retail allowances. The board did not direct staff to place a ballot question at this meeting, but members said the policy and objectives discussion should inform any future action.
Provenance: The topic came up during the strategic objectives discussion and later during public comments and a councilman's remarks; no vote or formal referral was made at the meeting.
