It’s a battle that’s been gearing up for a couple of months now.
Ever since the Otsego Planning Commission and Otsego City Council moved ahead with a decision to allow Target Corporation to include liquor sales in its Super Target location on 87th Street, near the County Road 39 and Highway 101 interchange, three other stores have had to brace for the change.
That change arrived last week, as Target opened its liquor section, a new twist to the supermarket/retail combination it has offered for the past several decades.
The Otsego store is pilot for the corporation. Many Targets carry shelves of mixes and “reduced-alcohol,” or “3.2” beer and malt beverages. Otsego will be the first to offer full-fledged wine, beer and spirits.
Nearby, however, there are three other shops, all locally owned, who will have to find their niche in the market. Napa Valley Liquors, Riverview Liqouroette and the Pour! Bottle Shop-which is mainly wine- will have to compete.
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