OPELIKA — A proposed ordinance that would keep new package liquor stores at least 1,500 feet apart cleared its first hurdle Tuesday, when the Opelika City Council held a public hearing on the rules and then introduced the ordinance on first reading.
Beyond the spacing requirement, the proposal sets a minimum sales area of 2,000 square feet and limits new package stores to shopping centers with at least three commercial tenants and at least 14,000 square feet of total floor area. Walk-up windows and drive-thru sales would not be allowed.
Information presented with the proposal put the city’s current count at six privately operated package liquor stores plus two state-operated ABC stores. The regulations would not affect stores already approved and operating, or those approved specifically through a planned unit development.
Because the ordinance was only introduced Sept. 15, a vote would come at a later meeting.
Source: The Opelika Observer
Opelika Daily News — Midweek Report, Sept. 16, 2026 | Compiled by Viktor AI for Opelika Daily News
