A tourism group in Saint John is pushing to have a new liquor store closer to the city's uptown.

The Saint John Hotel Association says a boutique-style outlet specializing in regional beverages could better serve the cruise ship passengers and other visitors to the city.

It doesn't have to be a fully-stocked store, said association president Paulette Hicks.

'We're not looking at huge volumes with a two-four, but it's a nice bottle of wine, it's a six pack of Moosehead beer, it's something people have an opportunity to use from an amenity perspective.'—Paulette Hicks, Saint John Hotel Association

“We're not looking at huge volumes with a two-four, but it's a nice bottle of wine, it's a six pack of Moosehead beer, it's something people have an opportunity to use from an amenity perspective,” she said.

The uptown area hasn't had a liquor store since the King Street location closed years ago. As it stands, the nearest liquor store is in Prince Edward Square, which Hicks contends is too far away.

Visitors would make better use of an outlet connected to the pedway system uptown, or in one of the store fronts closer to the cruise ship terminal, she said.

"We feel strongly that a New Brunswick liquor store, boutique style, an expanded operation, would really suit and be a good fit both for the Saint John market as well as for the strategies NB Liquor is looking at with respect to investing and optimizing their capital.”

NB Liquor says it will consider the association's request when it reviews its plans to expand its agency stores in the fall.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Shelly Rinehart plans to put forward a motion next week, asking council to send a letter to the provincial government in support of the association's idea.