City officials recently heard from store owners upset over legislation that allows grocery retailers like Meijer to also offer beer and wine at onsite gas stations.

The problem, according to business owners such as Andy Bakko, is that it is just a loophole for big businesses to go head-to-head with locals in a niche market.

It also means Meijer, which has a gas station on its premises in Marysville and Fort Gratiot, wouldn’t have to formally obtain a second liquor license.

“It is exactly competing with the small stores because now they’re convenient,” said Bakko, who owns Wolverine Market in Port Huron, but whose family owns the Marysville location, 1360 Michigan Ave. “They’ll be able to pull up to the gas station, get their booze and drive away. As if they don’t get enough business inside the store already.”

The legislation was signed by Gov. Rick Snyder and goes into effect July 11.

Marysville Mayor Dan Damman said he and the council heard from local business owners within the last few days.

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