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ANOTHER NEW BUSINESS FOR VICTORIA CROSSROADS LIQUOR FOR FRESH SEASONS BLDG Council voted unanimously on April 26th to approve an exclusive off-sale liquor license for Crossroads Liquor of Victoria, to become effective when also approved by the Minnesota Liquor Control Commission. Also that evening, Victoria councilmembers approved a conditional use permit for the off-sale liquor store to be located in the Central Business District. In fact, Crossroads Liquor will be located in the Fresh Seasons building, the north section -- 2,400 square feet -- where a pharmacy had been previously planned. There were at least a couple hours of discussion among councilmembers and also a public hearing at which time people in the audience spoke in favor or against granting the liquor license. The agenda item was introduced by Holly Kreft, Victoria Planner/Community Development Director. Currently there is one exclusive off-sale liquor license in Victoria, plus others with various combinations of on-sale and Sunday liquor. She stated that 51 parking spaces are required for a retail building the size of Fresh Seasons, and there are 71 parking spaces provided, so requirements are met. “The Planning Commission recommended approval and staff is recommending approval,” said Holly. “Handicap parking spaces would stay the same since they’re figured on the square feet of the entire building as retail.” City Administrator Don Uram reported, “The applicant had desired a pharmacy there but after significant efforts could not procure one.” Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, “There are no more small druggists. They don’t appear to be viable anymore. I’m not surprised that despite efforts, that it didn’t work out. We’ve heard from the community they’d like another liquor store. They also wanted a grocery store, and it struggles.” Said Administrator Uram, “It’s not unusual for a city our size to have more than one liquor store. My understanding is that Deep [owner of Hi-5 Liquor] turned down an offer to relocate to Fresh Seasons.” In response to a question, the administrator added, “We will always be pursuing a pharmacy and other businesses we do not have.” About bringing a second liquor store to town, Councilmember Roden said, “We tried this once and it failed. If it were my money, I’d be asking why it failed.” Kim was referring to Parker Tannin’s which closed its doors after being in business for a short time in the Notermann Building -- next to Mackenthun’s, which also closed as Fresh Seasons was approved. Asked Councilmember Jim Paulsen, “If the grocery store would close, can the liquor store get bigger?” The city administrator replied, “Typically a liquor store is 4,500 to 6,000 square feet so this one is rather small. My recommendation is that the limitation to 2,400 is not necessary.” The Planning Commission had asked for that condition. City Attorney Mike Norton stated, however, “If there’d be a change, the applicant would have to come back with that request anyhow. They’d also have to come back for a review of their liquor license.” When the public hearing opened, the first person to speak was Deepinder Baveja, owner of the Hi-5 Liquor Store as well as the adjacent Hi-5 convenience store and Subway shop. “I am the only affected party that will be affected by this vote,” said Deep. He said he bought his liquor license in 2001 and bought a house in Victoria in 2004. He said Parker Tannin came to town in 2007 and left town in 2008, that Fresh Seasons arrived in 2009 and Cathy Crobsy of Mackenthun’s left “because she didn’t think she could compete.”
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May 2010 |
