by Roy Taylor, Daily Vidette Reporter

Members of the Normal Town Council decided to keep the current Normal liquor code intact at a meeting Monday night.

Management personnel for Kroger, Landmark Plaza in Normal, said they want the liquor ordinance changed to allow alcoholic beverages to be purchased at any checkout line.

David Walker, manager of the Eagle Market Place on Main Street, said the change was requested merely “to make it more convenient for customers.”

The current ordinance is structured to allow shoppers at large grocery stores to purchase liquor at a designated line, Walker said.

“During peak times, I will have to lose some customers that won’t understand the situation,” he said.

“We will have to man the liquor department for a lot more hours, dedicate a lot more equipment and possibly even remodel to comply with the current ordinance,” he added.

If I have a 21-year-old working in the express lane, I would like for my customers to be able to go through that aisle with beer and wine,” he explained.

Normal Mayor Paul Harmon told members of the council the requested revision “would not be a major change” in the liquor code.

Council Member Sonja Reece said by not allowing a change in the code, shoppers may travel to Bloomington “out of convenience.”

After discussing a change in the ordinance, the council decided not to vote on the issue, leaving the ordinance as it is.

Harmon called the council “unreasonable” because it did not bring the matter to a vote.