jiffy mart disc
Area beer drinkers are running into problems as the source of 3.2 beverages dries up in preparation for October 1 when the sale of 6 point, or “strong” beer goes into effect.
Beer caves and cooler shelves, normally stocked with cases of cans and bottles of suds are empty or nearly empty. distributors stopped making deliveries about the middle of the month. That left store owners with dwindling supplies on their shelves.
At Walmart, beer sales stopped Sept. 15 and now only empty shelves meets customers. A beer truck was seen at a convenience store but the driver was only there to prepare the shelves for the new stocks that will be hitting the shelves.
beer truckDeliveries of the 6 point beer will start up in a few days but will not be sold until Oct. 1. Anyone violating that sales prohibition is liable for a massive fine. When the new supplies arrive, many store owners are planning to cover up the beer with tarps or darken their beer caves in parpation for the sale date.
It has been a boon to liquor stores who have always been allowed to sell 6 point beer but their beer has been only sold at room temperature.
The new law meant convenience stores can also sell wine, a product that had previously been restricted to package stores. Those sales, along with the beer sales, can be made from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week.
The sales required stores to receive both a retail wine and retail beer license. Employees who work at the stores must be at least 18 years old and have an employee license. Employees also had to complete a special training program through the Oklahoma ABLE commission.
That change in the law also has a direct impact on at least one restaurant in the Henryetta area.
Mazzio’s will no longer be selling beer with their meals. The cost of the license was said to have been a factor in that decision. The Mazzio’s restaurant in Okmulgee will be holding a trial run selling only wine with their meals. No timetable was given on how long that test run would last.