The city council voted to allow the County Market grocery store to continue the plans for a new location.

County Market, which is owned by Niemann Foods, plans to move to a new location north of its current location on 1460 E. Street.

During the meeting on January 4. The council voted to allow Niemann Foods to buy the lot at the northwest corner of Lincoln Avenue and E Street.

“It’s a big win for Charleston and will be very well received by the community,” said Mayor John Inyart. “I am very excited about it.”

Gerry Kettler, a spokesperson of Niemann Foods, said the new location will be updated to a state-of-the-art grocery store, which will include perishables, meat, and traditional groceries.

Kettler said the old store will stay open until the new store is built.

The construction of the new store will be finished in 2012.

The council also voted to tentatively change the restaurant liquor license policy.

The new ordinance will require restaurants and bars to not shut down their kitchens while liquor is served.

Inyart said the purpose of the new ordinance is to allow patrons to be able to purchase food late at night instead of only liquor.

The ordinance will not affect the 51 percent food and the 49 percent liquor requirement.

Inyart does not want the ordinance to affect banquet facilities.

Inyart said purpose of the new ordinance is not to affect these banquet facilities and he wants a provision in the ordinance that will exclude these facilities.

The city attorney, Brian Bower, will draft a revision to the ordinance, which will be voted on at the next council meeting.

A total of 14 businesses will be affected by the new ordinance.

The council also voted to expand the life of the Tax Increment Finance, TIF.

Inyart said the council will expand the life of its TIF for an additional 12 years.

The TIF has existed for 23 years and allowed the council to repair buildings in the downtown.

Elizabeth Edwards can be reached at 581-2812 or eaedwards@eiu.edu.