Batavia leaders fine with letting gas stations sell booze

Batavia aldermen say they are OK with letting gasoline stations sell packaged alcoholic beverages.

They directed city administrators Tuesday to prepare changes in the city's liquor licensing law to allow that.

Police Chief Gary Schira is fine with it, too. Schira said he has spoken with officials in nearby towns that allow it, and that those towns have not had problems.

"Even Geneva has now opened up that class license," Schira said, and Aurora is contemplating doing the same. Because the gasoline stations already usually sell tobacco products, the employees are used to checking identification to make sure underage people are not buying, he said.

The latest Batavia gasoline station to ask about selling alcohol is the BP Pride on Randall Road. It has a recently remodeled convenience store.

Mario Spina, chief executive officer of The PRIDE Stores Inc., said the company's other stations have liquor licenses. They sell beer and wine but not hard liquor because they don't have the space, he said.

Mayor Jeff Schielke, who is the city's liquor commissioner, has changed his position and supports the move.

Schielke said he has had inquiries recently from at least five stations of the city's eight gasoline stations.

"I appreciate your change in opinion," Alderman Dan Chanzit said.