Homewood Walgreens Gets Liquor License Reclassification

All members of Homewood's Village Board except Trustee Tom Kataras voted in favor of allowing the Cherry Creek Plaza Walgreens' current Class 9 (beer and wine only) liquor license to become reclassified as a Class 2 (any alcohol sale allowed) license. 

Kataras said he wasn't in favor of the reclassification because he was concerned it might be detrimental to other local alcohol sellers.

“You get in the liquor business for one reason: you know who your competitors are going to be … you know how many liquor license holders are in town ... for your investment in your business," Kataras said. "I feel very uncomfortable about this; especially because small businesses are struggling … I have a hard time supporting this.”

Trustee Anne Colton acknowledged Kataras' concerns, but she sees things a little differently.

"I don't think it's our job, as a village, to get rid of competition," Colton said. "I believe government just has to let business to what business needs to do."

A representative from Walgreens at the meeting said a change in customer demands is the reason behind Walgreens seeking the license reclassification.

In addition to the reclassification, the board voted to allow for two additional Class 2 liquor licenses to be created at the expense of two fewer Class 9 licenses.