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GOP leaders agree to close cold beer loophole

Posted at 6:28 AM, Apr 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-21 06:28:24-04

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Republican leaders in the Indiana Statehouse have reached agreement on a measure that appears to punish a convenience store owner who used a legal loophole to circumvent the state's stringent law governing who can sell cold beer.

A copy of the legislation obtained Thursday by the Associated Press sets a bar so high that Jay Ricker, who started selling carryout cold beer at two of his Ricker's convenience stores, says he will have to stop sales in April 2018.

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Package liquor stores and restaurants can sell cold beer, but gas stations and convenience stores are prohibited.

Ricker worked around it by installing seating and serving burritos, landing a restaurant classification - and the right to sell cold beer.

The Indiana House and Senate must still vote on the bill.

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