Fayetteville liquor store owners urge council to maintain cap on new licenses

Concerns over the potential removal of the liquor store cap dominated the recent Fayetteville City Council meeting, with local business owners voicing strong opposition to the proposal. Doug Strong, owner of Strong Brothers Liquor Store, emphasized that adding more stores could devalue existing businesses and threaten their survival. He pointed out that Fayetteville's population has not significantly increased, suggesting that the market is already saturated with four licensed liquor stores.

Neil Patel, representing Eastern Liquor, echoed these sentiments, highlighting that Fayetteville's population has slightly declined, leaving fewer than 4,750 potential adult customers. He argued that introducing more liquor stores would not boost demand but rather divide an already limited customer base, potentially harming long-standing local businesses.

Sahil Patel, who previously sought to open a liquor store, urged the council to maintain the current cap, stating that lifting it could lead to market saturation and diminish the quality of service provided by local establishments. He also shared community feedback, with residents expressing a desire for more diverse retail options rather than additional liquor stores.

The meeting concluded with a clear message from local business owners: maintaining the cap is crucial for protecting Fayetteville's economic landscape and ensuring that existing businesses can thrive. The council's decision on this matter will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the local economy and community development.