Photo: City of Penticton

Duncan Grocery is seeking permission to become a liquor store.

A proposal to allow a Penticton convenience store to sell alcohol received tentative support Tuesday, in advance of a public hearing next month. 

A prospective buyer of Duncan Grocery at 1500 Duncan Avenue East is seeking to transfer a liquor license from another location to the convenience store.

It remains unclear whether the liquor store will fully replace the convenience offerings or if both will be able to operate on site, but planning manager Blake Laven said zoning restrictions limiting commercial space on the lot to 125 square metres may make that difficult. 

“They did indicate that they did want to have some convenience items, but I know under the rules of liquor retail that the province sets, they are very limited in what they can offer,” Laven said.

Coun. Judy Sentes said she would offer the proposal her “cautious” support and wait for more information to come forward during the public hearing, adding she wants to hear the neighbourhood’s input on the plan.

Coun. Julius Bloomfield said he’s not convinced the store, as it is, is an entirely viable business anymore so he could appreciate a desire to try something new at the location. The store has operated at the corner since 1966. 

City council voted unanimously to send the proposal to a public hearing on Feb. 4. Mayor John Vassilaki recused himself because his family owns a liquor store in Penticton.