ENGLEWOOD — Voters in Englewood voted to lift a moratorium on selling booze in their neighborhood, paving the way for the Wal-Mart at 76th and Ashland to sell liquor.
The question was on last week's ballot in the 17th Ward's 26th precinct. It narrowly passed, with 240 voting to lift he ban and 222 voting to keep it in place.
Ald. David Moore (17th) said that removing the ban would allow for the Wal-Mart to sell packaged liquor. The 45,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market opened in March of last year.
Moore said the new Whole Foods in Englewood — which is in a different ward — is not subject to the same ban and he wants to give Wal-Mart the same chance to compete.
“Now we’re in process where we have to lift the moratorium,” he said, which could stay on until next summer.
Moore said the ban being lifted doesn’t take control away from him or the community.
“Wal-Mart won’t be selling small pints and half pints,” he said. “They’re working with the community to make sure that not only the best types of beverages and wines are served, but also the look of how the section will look.”
Here is how the ballot question read:
“Shall the prohibition of the sale at retail of alcoholic liquor be continued in this 26th Precinct of the 17th Ward of the City of Chicago (as such precinct existed as of the last general election)?"
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