By ANNELIA NIXON

Tribune Business Reporter

anixon@tribunemedia.net

The Retailers Liquor Association yesterday voiced sympathy for the impending ban on walk-up sales but added that such venues were susceptible to under-age drinkers.

The Association, an unregistered group of about 30 stores, said it is in support of the Government’s move to crack down on such operations from January 1, 2026. It added that take-out windows which also sell liquor is another risk as it pertains to children.

“The thing is, they don't monitor who they serve at the windows,” the Association said. “With the liquor stores, you know the drinking age is 18. So certain people, students and stuff, we don't allow them or they have to show an ID when they come into our store.

"We don't allow students in uniform in the liquor store, and especially during school hours. But they could walk up to the windows and they could purchase. And I've seen it personally. They don't scrutinise who comes to their window

“And then sometimes the children come to the window and they might not even want liquor, because they're selling food; they're selling everything. They're selling food, and they're selling liquor. So it's hard to determine who wants food and who wants liquor," the Association added.

"So what we are suggesting to the Government is that the two of them should not be tied together. If you are a restaurant and bar, you should be sit-down. So you say you have a take-out, but then you're selling liquor and also take out. Now, I have seen in some of them establishments where you have kids in the restaurant buying food, people, they are buying liquor, and the environment is not conducive for children."

The Association said many walk-up and caged liquor stores do not abide by the rules associated with their Business Licences, which calls for the availability of fire equipment, bathrooms, emergency lights, parking and staff and patron safety.

They said while some may want to comply, they cannot because they are in a small enclosed space with only a window. The Association said the over-saturation of caged liquor stores has created an unfair disadvantage for others because they often open early and close late, allowing for more customers to patronise their business.

“They open up early,” the Association said. “With a liquor licence you usually open from 9am to 9pm. So they open up early and they close late. They be open up until 3am in the morning. Another thing is a liquor store, we have to have bathrooms, fire extinguishers, sign on the door, our licencr has to be displayed when the customer comes in. They don't provide these things.

“It is too many in one area. That's not number one. And like I say, the hours they operate, they have the advantage because they use their restaurant licence to open up early and close late. That's a disadvantage. And we drove around and we found that some of them are just too close to schools. So that's another concern we have.

“The Association is sympathising with some of them because they are there because of no fault of their own. The Government gave them a licence. They already invested. But if it is against the rules, they are going to have to close.”