KC to consider expanding farmers market liquor sales

The sale of Missouri wines is going so well at the City Market farmers market that the Kansas City Council will consider allowing sales of locally produced liquor and beer.

The council last July approved a new type of permit for Missouri farmers and producers to sell their wines by the bottle at the City Market weekend farmers market, 20 W. Fifth St.

Previously, the Missouri Wine and Grape Board had offered free samples at the market, but the existing city permits didn’t allow actual sales.

Fahrmeier Farms and Vineyards in Lexington, Mo., took advantage of that new program last year and sells wine every weekend.

“They’re really happy with it,” said Deb Connors, who manages all aspects of the farmers market.

She said Missouri wines have become so popular in the state that allowing the sales was a wonderful addition to the downtown farmers market’s existing products. Other markets in Missouri and Overland Park had already joined that trend.

Connors then received inquiries from several Missouri distilleries about expanding the program to allow vodka and whiskey produced in the state, so she approached the city.

The request went to the city’s Alcoholic Beverage Advisory Group, which supported the idea and suggested it be expanded to include malt beverages as a logical extension.

The proposal goes to the council’s Public Safety Committee on Wednesday for consideration. Committee Chairman John Sharp said he had not yet had a chance to fully review the proposal but was not aware of any opposition.

The ordinance would allow distilled spirits or malt beverage manufacturers with a Missouri retail liquor-by-the-drink license to apply for and receive a caterer’s permit to sell their own products at the City Market. Vendors would be allowed to sell only the type of alcohol that they manufacture.

This story was originally published May 17, 2015 at 7:20 PM with the headline "KC to consider expanding farmers market liquor sales."