March 21, 2011

2010 Census Data Expected to Affect the Number of Local Liquor Stores

With the release of the 2010 U.S. Census data, the number of package stores allowed in cities and towns across the state is expected to change.

By law, the state Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) may issue one package store permit for every 2,500 residents of a town as determined by the most recently completed decennial census.

Most cities and towns are currently at their allowable number of liquor stores as established by the 2000 census. But DCP’s Liquor Control Division Director John Suchy stated, “No liquor store permits will be taken away from towns that lost population according to the census, but an additional permit will be allowed for every increase of 2,500 persons in a given town.”