Real Canadian Superstore is getting into the booze business in Kelowna.
The grocery story, which obtained a licence to sell B.C. wines, ciders and even sake in a provincial auction of licences has received initial support from the city in its bid to rezone its Baron Road store to facilitate alcohol sales.
On Monday, Kelowna city council agreed to send the rezoning application to a public hearing.
Last year, the province agreed to let let licensed grocery stores in B.C. to sell B.C. produced wines under new rules.
Save-On Foods, in the nearby Orchard Plaza, already sells wine. It was the first grocery store in the city to be approved after acquiring a licence following the provincial government’s change to the law.
The Real CanadianSuperstore application for rezoning had the support of city planning staff.
The store says it will use 93-square-metres of store space to sell alcohol.
A report to council from city staff said the plan already has preliminary approval from the Ministry of Transportation and Highways, required because the location is close to a Highway 97.
While council approved the move, Coun. Brad Sieben said he was unhappy that the province did not keep the old rule that limited alcohol sales locations to more than one kilomete away from each other.
But he said that was a move by the province and he would not penalize the applicant, Real Canadian Superstore, by voting against the rezoning.
