Marathon Publix still waiting to hear liquor store decision

Marathon Publix still waiting

to hear liquor store decision

BY TERRY SCHMIDA

Thirsty customers of the proposed Publix liquor store in Marathon will have to wait a little longer to wet their whistles – as the city Planning Department has yet to grant the company’s request to hang out its shingle.

“Last week we got their traffic study,” Planning Director George Garrett revealed at the Sept. 8 Marathon City Council meeting. He added that although the document indicated their would be no negative effect on area traffic patterns, no decision had been made on the grocery giant’s application to sell booze. The application was submitted back in June.

For a decade, Liquor stores in Marathon were prevented from opening within 1,500 feet of each other, as well as schools and churches, until that law was struck down by the City Council late last year.

While they’re waiting, the company has continued to work on the liquor store space, which is located next to the supermarket, at 5407 Overseas Hwy. Publix can still sell beer and wine, while the application is processing.

Publix currently operates 765 stores throughout Florida.