FRANKLIN—As early as mid-June, The Village at Woods Edge could be serving beer, wine and mixed drinks in its dining hall.

The North High Street retirement community recently applied to the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for a license to serve alcohol.

“It would allow us to provide alcoholic beverages to our residents at dinner and at functions that we have,” said Rhonda Stewart, executive director for The Village.

The facility applied for a license to serve beer, wine and liquor, yet plans to initially offer only beer and wine, Stewart said.

“We may expand to mixed drinks,” she said. “We want to be able to provide that if we deem that is what we want to do.”

The facility’s 130 residents, who live on their own in cottages and apartments or in assisted living apartments, can bring alcohol to events like Christmas parties. The liquor permit, however, would allow The Village to sell alcoholic drinks.

Many residents have a least one meal a day in the dining hall. The liquor license would allow them to order a drink with a meal.

“We’ve had people that would love to have a glass of wine with dinner,” Stewart said.

Kathleen Shaw, spokeswoman with the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Consumption in Richmond, confirmed receiving The Village’s application on May 19.

“If everything is perfect, it takes about four to six weeks (to approve),” Shaw said. “If there’s something missing (in the application), it could be delayed.”

She said it’s not uncommon for retirement communities to apply for liquor licenses.

The City of Franklin also must approve the application, Shaw said.