Picture this: You swing by Wheatsville Co-op on South Lamar for a bite, and the Bluewillow Lounge is buzzing. Friends huddle over trivia questions, Austin FC fans cheer through every close
call, and a group of regulars sets up for a laid-back game night. Now, imagine these moments
with a cold beer or a glass of wine alongside your meal – just a little something to elevate the
experience. Sound good? Well, we’re working to make that happen, and we’re almost there, but
only with your help!
Since 2017, we’ve offered beer and wine at our Guadalupe location, and now we’d like to
extend that same option to South Lamar. If you’ve been by recently, you might have noticed
some upgrades to our community room, now officially called the Bluewillow Lounge. We’re
gearing up to host more events like trivia nights, live music, plated dinners, sports watch parties,
and other gatherings that bring people together. These events are all about fostering deeper
connections among our owners, guests, and neighbors.
However, to bring this vision to life, we need one final piece: a waiver from the City Council. Since the very back corner of our building sits within 300 feet of The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders property, we
need council approval before we can apply for a TABC permit. One mother of an Ann Richards
student shared her thoughts on the idea, saying, “Although we aren’t big drinkers,
[beer and wine] availability will obviously be an enhancement to such events for many people.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Wheatsville knows that allowing alcohol consumption near a school raises some eyebrows, and we
understand those concerns. But let’s be clear- this isn’t about turning the Bluewillow Lounge
into a bar. It’s just about giving customers the option to enjoy a beer or glass of wine with their
meal, similar to what’s available at other grocery stores like Whole Foods or Central Market.
As lifelong co-op member-owner Alicia Philley put it, “Wheatsville merely wants to offer its
customers a space for locals to convene for meals, meetings, game nights, and other
community-based activities. We all know that allowing moderate alcohol consumption will
increase their competitiveness, boost sales, and thus strengthen the financial stability of the
co-op.”
We also want to reassure everyone that our history of responsible alcohol sales speaks for
itself. All of our register-trained staff are TABC-certified, and we’ve never had a violation under any of
our existing permits. Plus, any major events with alcohol will be scheduled in the evenings or on
weekends, long after the school day ends. The Ann Richards parent emphasized that our community commitment
remains as strong as ever, saying, “Their rational and responsible track record, along with how
wonderfully they treat ARS students and parents during the after-school rush, proves they value
their community and will continue to do so as they expand their offerings.”
This permit is about more than just serving drinks. It’s about transforming South Lamar into a
vibrant gathering space where people can connect, celebrate, and build memories together. As
Austin keeps evolving, it’s important for local businesses like ours to adapt too. Philley summed
it up perfectly: “As Austin continues to change, we need to allow this beloved business to make
the changes that will allow it to thrive.”
If you support this vision, sending a quick email to the City Council can really make a big impact. If you’d like to make an even bigger impact and have the time, attending and/or speaking at the upcoming hearing scheduled for November 7 would mean the world to us. If you’re a parent of an Ann Richards student, your voice
could be especially powerful in showing that Wheatsville is a responsible, community-first
neighbor.
Of course, we welcome all feedback. Open and honest conversations have laid
the groundwork for our co-op and will continue to help us grow as we step into this new chapter.
At Wheatsville, community is at the heart of everything we do. This permit isn’t just about beer
and wine. It’s about creating a place where neighbors gather, memories are made, and
friendships flourish. We’re excited about what’s ahead and grateful for your continued support.
Stay tuned for updates on the hearing date, and thank you for being part of the Wheatsville
family!
