Hunt for airport liquor vendor OK’d by board

Buying booze at a luggage carousel soon could join the "only in Vegas" list.

Clark County commissioners Tuesday approved looking for a vendor to run a liquor store at McCarran International Airport's baggage claim areas.

McCarran would be the only airport in the country where travelers could shop for spirits as they await their bags. But then, it's one of only two U.S. airports with slot machines. The other is in Reno.

"We're different," Commissioner Tom Collins said. "It's about tourism. It's about turning the economy around."

Randall Walker, the aviation director, estimates that the store would bring in $400,000 to $600,000 a year. That would help the county curb the fees on airlines, which in turn would give the carriers less reason to cut flights, he said.

Still, Commissioner Steve Sisolak resisted the idea. He argued that even Las Vegas needs some limits on where alcohol is bought. He questioned whether liquor should be sold in areas outside of bars and restaurants, especially where children are present. It also might pull business away from convenience stores and boutiques, he said.

Sisolak asked that the board put off action for at least a month so that businesses, travelers, the taxicab authority and others can weigh in. But his colleagues rejected his plea, so he gave in and joined the pack in approving the store.

Collins contends the store won't hurt other vendors.

"It's not a competitive issue," he said.