SEVEN FIELDS — The Giant Eagle grocery store here got one step closer Monday night to selling beer in an on-site restaurant after the borough's council approved the transfer of a liquor license.

That license would be transferred from an unnamed business in Butler Township. Officials with Giant Eagle now must submit an application to the state's Liquor Control Board, which has the final say in approving or rejecting the license transfer.

If approved, the Seven Fields Giant Eagle would be the first in Butler County to sell beer for on-premise or takeout consumption. The beer would be sold in a restaurant in the grocery store.

Customers would be limited to two six-packs for takeout.

Robert O'Hara, an attorney for Giant Eagle, said the establishment would only sell beer to begin with, but it could sell wine later. He said sales of hard liquor aren't being considered at the store.

O'Hara called Giant Eagle a "very responsible neighbor" and emphasized the proposed restaurant will in no way resemble a bar and it won't be a place where people come to drink all day.

He also said all employees in the restaurant will be trained to spot intoxicated customers and minors attempting to buy alcohol illegally.

O'Hara said Giant Eagle is attempting to obtain an "R" license, or restaurant license, which allows the sale of alcohol only in the restaurant portion of the store. The takeout beer would be in large coolers similar to those in grocery or convenience stores.

The plan was met with almost no resistance from a handful of residents who attended the meeting. One resident questioned if the restaurant would have a sports bar atmosphere, which O'Hara said it would not.

Another resident asked about the layout of the restaurant, which O'Hara said would be several thousand square feet with a maximum seating capacity of 40 customers.

The borough's council didn't oppose the plan either as several members expressed optimism concerning the idea.

Councilwoman Jennifer Sikora said the grocery store has been a "welcome addition" to the small borough, and she told O'Hara the corporation has the support it needs from borough officials for the proposal.

"Giant Eagle has been a fantastic neighbor for us here in Seven Fields," she said. "We look forward to going forward."

Manager Tom Smith supported council's opinion that the sale of beer in Giant Eagle will be an additional convenience to residents and he doesn't foresee problems over alcohol sales in the store.

"I think this is a positive thing for Seven Fields," he said. "Giant Eagle has been a good neighbor, and I think they'll continue to be."

O'Hara assured council that Giant Eagle is familiar with maintaining a safe environment for alcohol sales.

He told the council Giant Eagle has more than 200 stores in four states, most of which already sell alcohol because of more liberal alcohol laws elsewhere.

Pennsylvania is one of the few states in the country that prohibits alcohol sales in grocery stores, gas stations and convenience stores.

However, a court ruling this year allowed the Wegmans grocery store chain to sell beer, liquor and wine in several locations in the state because of on-site cafes or restaurants. That ruling allows other corporations such as Giant Eagle to obtain liquor licenses.