By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

HOOVER—Residents will now be able to purchase liquor from Costco, as the Hoover City Council granted Costco conditional use approval to sell liquor at its Galleria location amid voiced opposition from the audience during an Aug. 17 meeting.

The Costco store, located at 3650 Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, currently carries beer and wine, and following the Aug. 17 decision, will be allowed to sell liquor.

Dr. Joe Godfrey, a North Shelby resident and executive director of the Alabama Citizens Action Program, spoke in opposition to the request from Costco, citing concern about making “higher potency alcoholic beverages” available in “box stores” and “so readily available to young people.”

“You’re dealing with an addictive, mind altering drug,” Godfrey said. “I’m going to encourage you to think about what kind of city you want Hoover to be.”

Rev. Dan Ireland, former executive director of ALCAP, echoed Godfrey’s sentiments, noting alcohol abuse is a “problem facing young people,” citing experience from his years as a pastor.

“You can take my word for it, if you want to sit for three to four hours with me, I’ll explain it to you,” Ireland said.

John Milledge, local council for Costco, noted liquor will be sold from an area with a separate entrance from the main store and employees receive extensive training.

“Just to get here today has been months and months of license review, public hearings and background checks,” Milledge said. “The level of training we provide our employees are far above what you’ll see at a package store.”

Hoover resident Arnold Singer also spoke in support of Costco’s liquor selling practices.

“I’m 78 years old, when I buy a bottle of wine at Costco, I’m carded,” Singer said.