Liquor store debates move

Heather Mangan

Heather Mangan

The Brookings City Council discussedmoving the city-run liquor store to a more convenient location citing poor sales at its Oct. 5 meeting.

No action was taken at the meeting as council members want to take a closer look at the issue.

Bill Purrington, liquor store manager, told council members that liquor sales are not as high in Brookings as in surrounding cities, such as Sioux Falls and Watertown.

“We are in the wrong location and it wouldn’t be wise to add on,” said Tom Bezdichek, council member.

The liquor store is currently located at 302 W. 6th Street, at the far west end of town.

The council discussed moving the liquor store to the eastern end of the city where there is more traffic.

More people would stop at the liquor store while running errands, if it were near other main businesses, council member Tim Reed said.

“Our desire to expand is driven by the impulse buyer,” Reed said.

Although a new location could mean an increase in sales, it would cost approximately $1 to $2 million dollars to move the liquor store, Bezdichek said.