Wheeling may OK in-store wine, beer tastings

Wheeling grocery and liquor store owners who've handed out free samples of beer, wine or spirits have technically been breaking the law, village officials say.

Village code doesn't allow liquor stores to pour alcohol for shoppers - a point brought up by Binny's Beverage Depot, which plans to open a store soon at 1550 E. Lake-Cook Road. Now village staffers have crafted rules allowing the practice, but board trustees point out local businesses such as Sam's Club already hold tastings.

"They're not allowed, but yet we're allowing them. I can tell you there were four of them at Sam's in the month of December," Trustee David Vogel said, adding the wholesaler gave out imported beer, wine and Absolut cranberry vodka before the holidays.

If village staff had known, they would've notified store owners about the rules, Village Manager Jon Sfondilis said.

The village board could vote on new rules at 6:30 p.m. Monday at village hall. Under the proposal, grocery stores and wholesalers more than 20,000 square feet, as well as package liquor stores, could hold tastings. The proposal excludes smaller convenience stores.

Trustee Ray Lang said he's glad the village wants to make the rules official "because sampling does work, and it sells products and increases sales tax revenue."