COLUMBUS, Ind. — Ricker’s, an Anderson-based convenience store chain, has found a way to offer cold beer in two of their Indiana stores, one of which is in Columbus on 25th Street.
Company officials have located tables in their new stores that offer food-to-order. Under the law, this qualifies them to sell cold beer. The application was approved by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission. Indiana Republican leaders are calling the approval a loophole and plan to close it.
A statement released by the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers says they believe Ricker’s is ignoring long-standing Indiana laws.
Ricker’s chairman, Jay Ricker says the company has followed the letter of the law, and in fact, they now require all employees working behind the counter to obtain a server’s license, which the law does not required.
Ricker said he is only responding to what customers want. At the same time, he says he wants to diversify his business in the event that the traditional convenience store business model may change.
Some critics fear the practice may lead to higher occurrences of underage drinking.