This fall, there is high chance that Chicago residents would get the chance of getting tipsy as they shop through the aisles of a Target store opening in October.
In a USA Today report, the said Target store to open in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood has applied for not one, but two liquor licenses. One of these licenses would reportedly allow customers to drink inside the actual store.
While Target has indeed confirmed applying for the licenses, the store did not reveal any further details on how it plans to use them. As of this writing, the liquor licenses have not yet been approved.
In retrospect, several Target stores have already gotten into the liquor game by selling alcohol in their stores, the company's soon-to-be Chicago location has applied for both the Package Goods license as well as the Consumption on Premises liquor license, city records state.
According to Grub Street, the company has confirmed it would let shoppers drink glasses of beer or vino from a possible in-store café. The store would reportedly be a smaller version of what was TargetExpress. Earlier this month, the company decided to drop the TargetExpress and CityTarget branding to simply name all its stores Target. However, the company also did say that more urban-focused spaces are still on the way.
As for its grocery and food categories, in the past year, Target has renewed its focus and said it's planning on stocking healthier choices such as more natural, organic and local products. This fall will also see a new cafe concept in several stores, including outposts of fast casual Freshii and a local Italian restaurant in several Minneapolis locations.
It's not only Target. Retailers such as Taco Bell and Starbucks have also announced plans of serving alcohol to patrons recently.
Chicago, it appears, is the go-to spot for alcohol lovers. In June, a Taco Bell in Wicker Park has applied for a liquor license, making it the first Taco Bell location to sell alcohol inside their store, according to Food Beast.
Apparently, the expansion of places where customers could grab booze is branching out to more than just food service. Even grocery stores and pharmacies such as Duane Reade and Kroger have gotten in the game.
Recently, Duane Reade installed bar areas where customers could grab refillable containers. Kroger is also expanding their stores with beer stations this fall.
"Wine and growler bars are a natural evolution for our adult beverage departments - by adding growlers, we are able to introduce our customers to new and emerging breweries that are only available on draft," according to Kroger's national beer coordinator, Jason Milburn.
