A Chicago Target store could serve liquor when it opens in October

Chicago residents could have the chance to get tipsy as they walk the aisles of a new Target store opening this fall.

Target confirmed to USA TODAY on Monday that it has applied for two liquor licenses for a store planned to open in October in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood. The company would not provide further details. The licenses haven't been approved yet.

While many Target stores already sell alcohol to take home, Target applied for both a Package Goods license and a Consumption on Premises liquor license for its new store, according to city records.

The store will be a smaller-format version that would have formerly been known as TargetExpress; Target decided to drop its TargetExpress and CityTarget branding earlier this month in favor of simply the name Target for all stores but said it's not abandoning its plan for more urban-focused spaces.

Target has brought renewed focus to its grocery and food categories in the past year and has said it plans to stock more natural, organic and local products. This fall, the company will start testing a new cafe concept in several stores that will include outposts of fast casual chain Freshii, plus a local Italian restaurant in some Minneapolis locations.

Several retailers not known for booze have also announced plans recently to expand their offerings, including Taco Bell and Starbucks. This month, Starbucks accelerated its effort to sell wine and craft beer in its U.S. stores while Taco Bell said in June that it planned to serve alcohol at a Chicago location that opened this summer.

The expansion of non-traditional places to grab a drink isn't limited to food service, either. Some grocery stores and pharmacies such as Duane Reade have started installing bar areas where customers can get refillable containers -- known as "growlers" --  filled with craft beer on tap.  Kroger is stepping up its expansion of beer stations this fall to include stores in the Cincinnati area after opening in five new markets earlier this year.

“Wine and growler bars are a natural evolution for our adult beverage departments — by adding growlers, we are able to introduce our customers to new and emerging breweries that are only available on draft,” said Jason Milburn, Kroger’s national beer coordinator.

Contributing: Alexander Coolidge, The Cincinnati Enquirer