A pharmacy chain store in Lower Mills may seek to add beer, wine and liquor to its existing inventory of diapers, hair gel and band-aids— a proposition that is already getting some push-back from civic leaders.

Lawyers representing the Rite-AID at 90 River Street introduced the idea to members of the Lower Mills Civic Association’s executive board at their meeting in June. The proposal would require approvals from the city of Boston and the city’s Licensing Board, levers that opponents could marshal if the plan moves forward.

Michael Skillin, the president of the civic association, said that the group would not hear any formal proposal on the subject until after the summer, if at all. The next opportunity for the full civic association to hear any plans would come in September.

Skillin said that e-board members are “willing to listen,” but asked the attorneys to convey the message that the corporation should consider other locations. Skillin noted that there are four package stores within .3 miles of the River Street Rite-AID.

The chain currently operates two stores in the state that sell alcohol. A change in Massachusetts law will now permit chain stores to phase in up to nine liquor licensed-stores over the next five years.
Peter Lyons, one of the two attorney who met with the civic leaders, said that the store was still weighing its options about moving ahead with a license for River Street, but that no plans had yet been finalized.