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Country Fair requests transfer of liquor license into Erie, outlines plan to rebuild 30th Street store
Summary
Country Fair representatives asked council to approve moving a liquor license from Waterford to the store at 30th Street, described plans to rebuild the site with seating and public restrooms, and answered neighborhood questions about lighting and timing; no votes were taken at the public hearing.
Country Fair asked Erie City Council on March 5 to approve the transfer of a liquor license from Waterford into the city and described plans to replace and expand its long-running 30th Street store.
Barry Klonowski, counsel for Country Fair, told council the company intends to move a license to the retail facility at the 30th Street location and sought council’s “stamp of approval” per the liquor code. Company representatives said the plan includes rebuilding the existing store footprint, adding seating for up to 30 customers, installing commercial public restrooms and improving the corner’s appearance. The company’s stated policy is to card every alcohol sale and require ID for each purchase.
Dave Denkert, identified as a director of operations for Country Fair, said the 30th Street location (store number 50) has operated for more than 25 years and the company wants to “beautify that whole corner” with a larger, modern store. He told council Country Fair carries multiple licensed locations across Pennsylvania and nearby states and that the company enforces age-restriction policies and staff training.
AJ Cimino, the store engineer, said the rebuild would add larger commercial restrooms and seating and that the project could start in the fall at the earliest because of planning and permitting timelines. Cimino also said the design will follow “dark sky” principles so lighting is directed downward to reduce impacts on nearby residences.
During public comment, a nearby resident raised concerns about bright lighting from the current store, its effect on neighbors and migrating birds; the resident said improvements were welcome but asked the company to mitigate nuisance lighting. Company representatives said they have previously installed shields to direct light and said they would consider additional measures.
No one spoke in opposition during the public hearing, and council did not vote on the transfer at the meeting. Klonowski told council the only statutory ground for denying a license transfer would be if the council found it would adversely affect the health, safety, welfare or morals of city residents; he asked that the council pass the resolution at the next available opportunity.
The company offered to provide its written policy on restricted-item sales and to work with neighbors on lighting. Council did not record a decision at the hearing and indicated the resolution would be scheduled for a subsequent meeting for formal action.
