Back in July, Giant Food Stores purchased a dormant liquor license at state auction. In October, store management asked Coplay Borough for permission to present its credentials to council to have the liquor license transferred to the Giant location at Second and Chestnut streets. At council’s regular meeting Nov. 14, Ellen Freeman, Giant’s attorney, and Josh Erb, the project manager tasked with implementing in-store liquor sales, appeared before council to present their case.

Council members said they have a few problems to work out with local management before they can give their approval.

Council’s decision did cause some anxiety. Bill Ketterer pointedly asked if the store will close if the liquor license transfer was not granted.

The response from Giant was noncommittal.

Giant has 56 stores in Pennsylvania that sell beer and wine. None have violations. The history of dealing with a liquor license is the strongest indicator for approval.

The liquor license request reportedly triggered a whole series of complaints that council stored away. Erb said in his presentation that the borough’s store was doing well.

“There has been some impact from the bridge closing,” he said, “but we continue to meet our projections.”

“That contradicts what we have heard,” Councilman Charles Sodl countered. “People are being laid off, hours cut.

“The store is losing money,” Sodl alleged.

Sodl complained the store asked for and received a lower tax assessment, then remodeled the store, making it more valuable. He complained that Giant is not a good corporate neighbor.

“(The) grass-cutting contractor blows cuttings into the street. And the cuttings clog our sewer drains,” he continued. “We get told that is a corporate problem when we complain.”

According to at least one observer, grass cuttings are always cleaned off the street.

Councilman Stephen Burker said Giant pledged a monetary contribution to a fundraising campaign and failed to follow through.

Council sought to address its concerns with local management. Local management did not attend the hearing.

Both Freeman and Erb were caught off guard with council’s request. They told council the marketplace trend is to have beer and wine available in grocery stores. The in-store “restaurants” provide a sit-down dining experience for quick meals. The product and procedures are established and run well. Stores show increased revenues.

Hours of operation are 7 a.m.-10 p.m. every day except Sunday, when the opening is delayed to 9 a.m. Everyone is carded to prevent sales to minors.

All employees in the liquor area are Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP) trained. There is a two-beer limit for on-premise consumption, and food needs to be purchased.

Council must make a determination on the transfer 45 days after the request is submitted. Only six days remained after the discussion at the hearing.

Solicitor Lisa Pereira offered an alternative that allowed Giant to request a delay in the process. Council members agreed to forward their concerns to Erb, so they could be addressed or resolved prior to the meeting.

The next public hearing is set for Dec. 5. The meeting will be advertised as a voting meeting. Council asked that a district manager be present at the next meeting.