Cracker Barrel requests alcohol license in Columbia County

A country-themed chain restaurant has applied for a pouring license in Columbia County.

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners is scheduled at its next meeting to decide whether to grant an alcoholic beverage license to sell beer and wine for on-premises consumption at the Cracker Barrel on Park West Drive, near Interstate 20's intersection with Jimmie Dyess Parkway.

County planning and development staff have recommended approval for the license request.

Cracker Barrel began test-marketing alcohol sales at 20 locations in June, CEO Sandra B. Cochran said in a statement to trade publication Nation's Restaurant News last year.

Response grew so positive that the company announced last September that it would extend the alcohol menu to hundreds more locations by the end of the fiscal year. The Cracker Barrel alcohol license application submitted to Columbia County was dated June 10.

Drink offerings on the updated menus have included beer, wine and mimosas in orange and strawberry flavors.

The restaurant chain, founded in 1969, features country-style cooking combined with a "country store" gift shop that sells folksy retail items.

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet next at 6 p.m. Aug. 3.