THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, May 3, 1996                    TAG: 9605030555
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY DAVID M. POOLE, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                           LENGTH: Short :   45 lines

BREW THRU ISSUE MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF BEER LICENSES

The Brew Thru debate could lead Virginia Beach to seek revocation of beer sales at six gasoline stations near the Oceanfront to discourage drinking and driving, a city attorney said Thursday.

``We are going to examine each of those licenses in this area,'' Assistant City Attorney L. Steven Emmert told the state Alcoholic Beverage Control board.

But an attorney representing the proposed Brew Thru convenience store on Pacific Avenue at 29th Street questioned city officials' newfound concern about ``saturation'' of ABC-licensed establishments along the Oceanfront.

The attorney, John B. Russell Jr., said the city raised no objections to a recent off-site beer license sought by another Oceanfront business.

``You have to at least be consistent,'' Russell said. ``You can't say, `We'll oppose this one because it's saturated, but we will allow the next three or four.''

The exchange came during an appeal hearing in which Virginia Beach asked the three-member ABC board to overturn an administrative decision to grant the Brew Thru an off-site beer and wine license.

A decision is expected within three weeks.

The Brew Thru will be designed so motorists can drive into the store for beer, pizza and other grocery items. Opponents say the business will disrupt pedestrian traffic along Pacific Avenue and send the wrong message about mixing alcohol and driving.

Russell accused Virginia Beach politicians of singling out the Brew Thru for political reasons, even though the city's planning staff approved the site plan.

Emmert said the drinking and driving issue would lead the city to review alcohol sales at six gasoline stations leading to the Oceanfront. Based on what the review finds, the city may seek revocation of some ABC licenses, he said.

The Brew Thru store - the first of its kind in Hampton Roads - has drawn opposition from various people, including the Virginia Beach Police Department and the resort area civic league. by CNB