Mayor Revokes Winchester Gas Station Liquor License After Repeated Violations

Mayor Rex McIntire revoked the liquor license for the BP station at 5 W. Cherry St. in Winchester on December 17, 2025, after city officials say the business was caught selling alcohol to patrons under 21 on multiple occasions. The mayor said the station had been accused of those sales about five times over the past four years and had been the subject of sting operations. He added that the city had repeatedly warned the business, but its actions had gone "past the limit."

City officials also say the station sold alcohol after its liquor license expired on October 31. In response, the municipal government has taken legal action against the station's management, a step that could affect an ongoing administrative or court process. The revocation takes effect immediately, temporarily removing a nearby source of packaged alcohol for residents and patrons who use that location for convenience purchases.

The immediate impact will be felt by customers who shopped at the Cherry Street station, by employees whose hours or positions may be affected, and by neighborhood safety dynamics. Local law enforcement resources and municipal licensing staff have invested time in sting operations to enforce the age restriction, and the revocation underscores the city s willingness to use regulatory tools to address repeat violations. For families and schools concerned about underage drinking the decision is likely to be seen as a reinforcement of community standards and an effort to reduce access for minors.

Business compliance with licensing rules is central to how small commercial operations interact with the community, and municipal enforcement carries economic and legal consequences. The city s legal action may include fines or other penalties and could set a precedent for how Winchester handles similar cases in the future. Residents seeking to purchase alcohol will need to use other licensed retailers while the matter proceeds.

Officials have not provided additional comment on the specifics of the legal action or on any timetable for appeals or reinstatement. The revocation marks a notable example of local regulation applied to protect underage residents and to maintain public trust in business practices.