NE: Concerns Over Too Many Liquor Establishments
November 12, 2018
An Omaha neighborhood group is on a mission, tracking the number of stores selling alcohol in the metro.
The group wants the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission to deny additional requests for licenses in North Omaha.
The volunteer committee, made up of concerned neighbors and church leaders, said the public can already buy alcohol almost anywhere along Ames Avenue.
“It’s just been kind of sad,” said Pamela Duncan, a concerned neighbor. “We’d like something positive.”
Members said the stretch along Ames from 50th to 62nd is especially oversaturated, and they are worried it could lead to traffic, trash and safety concerns.
A liquor store across from a church and four liquor licenses within a four-block area – those are some of the concerns the group mentioned to KETV NewsWatch 7.
“We understand business employ people, all those things are important,” said Rev. Michael Williams of Risen Son Baptist Church. “We have to think about as well what’s best for the majority of the people.”
Opponents have been especially vocal against a license for the Tobacco Hut near 62nd and Ames and have sent more than 100 petitions to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission.
“Why do they feel the need to sell alcohol when they have been denied two times from 2014, as well as 2016?” asked Rev. Portia Cavitt of Clair Memorial United Methodist Church.
Over the last two weeks, the Omaha City Council approved license recommendations for several businesses, including a new license for the Tobacco Hut and an upgraded license for J-N-D Grocery Store, which new owners will change to Golden Grocery Store.
City Council President Ben Gray told KETV NewsWatch 7 he also believes there are too many licenses, but that state laws have changed, leaving city leaders few options.
“The best avenue for us is to restrict them as much as possible, get them to agree to those restrictions and we go forward like that,” said Gray.
For example, City Council approved the Tobacco Hut’s recommendation after the owner agreed to selling only beer and liquor, and it was the same for Golden Grocery Store when owners agreed to restrict from small shots and single cans of beer under 24 ounces.
“These gentlemen are owners/operators,” said Kyle McGinn, attorney for Golden Grocery Store. “They’re going to be here the entire time that this store is open. They have a vested interest in the safety and security of this neighborhood.”
Gray stressed that City Council can only approve or deny a recommendation to the liquor control commission. He said no matter how the council votes, applicants may request licenses from the commission, and it’ll be up to the commission on the final say.
The Tobacco Hut, as well as Golden Grocery Store, will likely go before the liquor control commission in December to find out about their license requests.