Beer, Wine Could Hit North, West Longview Stores in About 45 Days

LONGVIEW — Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission officials said Tuesday North and West Longview residents should have a little more than 45 days before beer and wine hit area store shelves. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Longview voters overwhelmingly granted area grocery and convenience stores permission to sell beer and wine Saturday, passing Longview’s Proposition 1 by nearly a 2-1 margin.

Roy Hale, a planner for the TABC, said after the results of the election are canvassed – which will take place at a special Longview City Council meeting Thursday – and an application for beer and wine sales is approved by city and county officials, the turn-around time for an application with the commission is about 45 days.

Hale said it is likely that North Longview grocers have already completed the applications and are waiting to move forward with the process. “I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them already have the paperwork done,” Hale said. Longview Public Information Officer Shawn Hara said that city approval includes aspects such as making sure the store is at least an approved distance from schools and churches.