Worcester Walmart loses bid to sell beer and wine, again

WORCESTER — Saying that the area around the Walmart Supercenter at 25 Tobias Boland Way is already adequately served for alcohol, the License Commission unanimously denied Walmart's request for a license to sell beer, malt beverages and wine.

Chair Anthony Vigliotti said the package stores that exist within the area of the Walmart, which is close to Quinsigamond Village, are enough for the area.

A handful of package store owners spoke at the meeting to oppose the supercenter's application for a package store license, claiming the major retailer could hurt their businesses.

The applicant on the agenda item was Westborough Beverage Corp., a corporate name that Walmart has used in applications with other municipalities, such as Westfield and Plymouth.

Walmart had previously applied for a beer and wine license in 2011. However, the License Commission also rejected that application.

Attorney Mark Borenstein of Bowditch & Dewey, who represented Walmart, said issuing the license would serve a public need, citing the city's population growth.

The Walmart serves a heavily immigrant and lower-income clientele in part because it is more easily accessible by WRTA bus, Borenstein said.

"This proposed location would be an ideal location for a package store license because it will allow residents to utilize the bus service to access the premises," Borenstein said.

Walmart patrons have also expressed a desire to purchase beer and wine while they are grocery shopping, Borenstein said. He added the store has 10,000 customers a day.

Two other package stores are within a half-mile radius of Walmart. Borenstein argued that those stores have full liquor licenses and primarily serve Quinsigamond Village, while Walmart would be a destination for residents from throughout the city, with more limited alcohol offerings.

"The commission here is to ensure the public need is met," Borenstein said. "There's no store in the city of Worcester that can meet the public need like this particular proposed licensed premises."

Pedro Figueroa, manager of the Worcester Walmart, said the building has gone through much change over the past two years, is clean and organized and has more security than any other retailer in the area.

Figueroa added that the store wanted to ease the distance of customers' shopping trips and offer them less expensive options at a time of high inflation. He also emphasized his local roots as a manager of a major retail chain.

"I'm sure the feedback's going to be, Walmart is this massive conglomerate," Figueroa said. "This is Pedro's store. I've been a store manager for 20 years, born and raised in the Green Hill area."

A handful of package store owners spoke to oppose Walmart receiving the license.

Robert Largess, who owns Harrahy's Liquor at 107 Ward St., said the vast majority of what he sells is beer and wine. He said the need for alcohol is already being served in the area near the Walmart.

William Kiritsy, owner of Olympic Wine & Liquors at 345 Grafton St., said the trend to produce beers and wine with higher alcohol by volume warranted closer consideration of who should receive a license.

He added Walmart's resources gave it a major advantage in the market.

"They're a multibillion-dollar company. They can have everything at cost," Kiristy said.

Kiritsy also described the Walmart location as notorious for theft. Borenstein, though, said the Worcester location does not have what the company considers to be a very high level of theft.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Walmart won't be allowed to sell beer and wine