Would Sams Club Liquor Sales Allowed at Arkansas Court?”
A Sam’s Club in Fayetteville can operate a liquor store adjoining its retail operation, potentially allowing other department store chains to follow suit, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The ruling could strike a blow at package stores throughout Arkansas, who argued before the court that state law prohibits liquor sellers from operating any drug, sporting goods or grocery store inside their operations. The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board granted the store’s liquor license in 2007. However, justices rejected that claim by the Arkansas Beverage Retailers Association, noting that a separate business entity operates the liquor store, which is walled off from the rest of the Sam’s Club. “As the facts show, substantial evidence supports the board’s decision,” the court’s opinion by Chief Justice Jim Hannah reads. “We cannot say that the board’s interpretation and application … is clearly wrong.” Wal-Mart, based in nearby Bentonville, has previously said it had no plans t
