Renner denies Hucks’ request for new liquor license to allow video gaming

Posted on July 12, 2017
Tari Renner
Bloomington mayor Tari Renner denied a request for Huck’s to service alcohol on site. (WJBC file photo)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – A convenience store has been struck down in its request to get a new liquor license so it can get into the video gaming business.

Bloomington mayor and liquor commissioner Tari Renner refused the request for Huck’s to get a liquor license for alcohol consumption onsite.

Renner tells WJBC’s Scott Laughlin and Patti Penn it appears the neighborhoods around the Huck’s stores on Hershey Road and Oakland Avenue don’t want it.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Patti’s interview with Renner on WJBC. 

“Everyone who spoke at (the city’s liquor commission) hearing was against it, so I told them I’m not going to waste your time and mine,” Renner said. “I’m not bringing this to the council, I can’t recommend this.”

Police also feared an increased number of service calls should customers be drinking on site.

“(Police) have had some calls in these locations,” Renner said, referencing Assistant Police Chief Ken Bays’ comments at the hearing. “He thought having people drinking and being involved in video poker and such would likely increase the calls for service.”

A state law requires businesses must have a liquor license to run video gaming – with a few exceptions, including truck stops.

Huck’s has liquor licenses to sell all types of alcohol at its 501 N. Hershey Road location and sell packaged beer and wine at its 102 W. Oakland Ave. store.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…