Owner of Salem Avenue business says police objection to liquor renewal has caused financial strain

Flora Hurston, the owner of a business at 2914 Salem Avenue, told the Dayton City Commission she received an email on June 24 notifying her that the police department had objected to her liquor-license renewal. Hurston told the commission she had been unable to reach police investigators and had to retain counsel to request a continuance for the license hearing. "We stay in compliance with all of our building codes, regulations, and cooperate with authorities, when needed. We have not received any citations or violations since we have been in operations for the last 4 years," Hurston said.

Hurston said she has tried multiple times to contact police, left voicemails for a detective and the police chief, and asked for a chance to address any concerns before formal objection. "If there's a true concern regarding my business, no one from the department has reached out to me personally and said that there was any concern or given me the opportunity to address whatever the issue or concern may be," she said, and asked the city to withdraw its objection or at least to contact her to discuss the matter.

Mark Donaldson, who said he formerly owned the building at 2914 Salem Avenue and has lived in Dayton for decades, told commissioners that community entrepreneurs—particularly Black business owners—face barriers and financial strain when license objections require legal representation. Donaldson said it was unfair for long-standing neighborhood business owners to face sudden objections that force them to hire attorneys.

City staff asked Hurston to remain after the meeting so officials could gather more information and follow up.

No formal action on the liquor-license objection was recorded during this meeting.