Walgreens Wants to Add Alcohol to the Mix at Two Irving Park Stores

IRVING PARK — Would it make your life more convenient if you could pick up a bottle of chardonnay with your deodorant and Band-aids?

That's Walgreens' assertion as part of the drugstore chain's request to sell alcohol at two of its Irving Park stores: 4343 N. Kedzie Ave. and 3153 W. Irving Park Road.

"This will create a one-stop shopping experience where [customers] can buy a range of products at one location rather than having to travel, park and pay at a variety of different stores," Walgreens said in a statement.

Ald. Deb Mell (33rd) shared Walgreens' proposal with constituents and asked for their opinions. Feedback can be emailed to dana@33rdward.org.

Walgreens revived alcohol sales at its stores in 2010 after a 15-year self-imposed ban. More than 3,000 of the chain's locations were included in the initial reintroduction, and the drugstore giant has been adding to that tally ever since.

If given the go-ahead in Irving Park, Walgreens said beer, wine and spirits would occupy no more than 4 percent of floor space. Locally produced alcohols, such as craft beers, would be included in the mix.

There will be no sales of single serving malt liquors, 40-ounce beers or fortified wines, according to Walgreens.

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