Store wants city to waive ban on alcohol sales

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The sale of alcohol at one local convenience store is creating a buzz. That's because of its proximity to a high school.

Speedy Stop #409, at the corner of Cameron Road and Athletic Drive near Reagan High School , doesn't sell alcoholic beverages yet, but they want to.

But according to a city ordinance, they're prohibited. 

City Code Section 4-9-4 requires a minimum of 300 feet between a business that sells alcohol and a public school.

While the convenience store tries to get the city to waive those distance requirements so they can sell alcohol, many from the neighborhood and school community are stepping in to try and prevent that from happening

"Say no to alcohol. Say yes to Reagan."

That was the chant of the dozens of people gathered Wednesday in protest. People from various neighborhood associations, those with the school, and other youth and church organizations stood on the street corner to take a stand.

They're protesting the Speedy Stop food store's request to the city of Austin to waive the distance requirement that is part of city code.

Demonstrators say they think if the sale of alcohol was permitted, it could negate the progress Reagan High School has made in recent years.

"Their test scores are up, their graduation rates are up, and it's important for our whole community to realize the importance of that," said Mary Ellen Pietruszynski, "We want our west side schools to be great and we want our east side school to be great."

Many from Wednesday's demonstration say they will be at City Hall Thursday. Council is set to conduct a public hearing on the matter and consider a resolution.

However, late Wednesday, the city of Austin announced the item has been withdrawn. It will officially be withdrawn at Thursday's Council agenda at 4 p.m.