The Albany City Commission voted to approve a local change-of-location alcohol license for Simple Spirits Inc., d/b/a Happy Liquors, allowing the business to relocate from 2424 Sylvester Highway to 110 Cordele Road, Unit 1, after an extended discussion about an administrative error in how the application was processed and concerns raised by a nearby property owner.

The vote approved the local licensing step on the condition that the state licensing authority make its determination during the state review process; city staff told commissioners the item will return if the state raises issues. Commissioners cast a majority of yes votes on the local action, with one commissioner voting no.

City police licensing staff presented the application and said the license for the new address was originally issued after the applicant filed paperwork and paid fees. Chief licensing staff Michael Donaldson told the commission the license had first been issued in 1989, that the planning department had identified the proposed address as in a C‑3 commercial zone, and that local notice requirements (at least 10 days’ public notice) had been met. Donaldson also summarized distance rules used for advising applicants: a minimum of 200 yards from schools and 100 yards from churches, noting the proposed relocation did not violate the local distance guidance.

Attorney Jim Edge, representing owner Joe Vien, told commissioners his client bought the new property after relying on the licensing process and the permit that staff had issued. Edge said Vien had operated a liquor store at 2424 Sylvester Highway for 35 years and “closed on the property at 110 Cordele Road” after being issued a license and investing “a lot of money” into the new location. Vien told the commission he had “operated that business with utmost integrity” and that he invested in the new site because he believed the city had issued the necessary permission.

Nearby property owners led by Tim Tate opposed immediate approval. Tate said his family owned and operated a long-running liquor store and argued the applicant had moved fixtures and opened the new location before the commission had voted on the change of location. Tate called the administrative handling “100% wrong” and asked the commission to require full consideration because, he said, the board’s approval is a statutory step for a change of location.

City Attorney Michael Custer said the city’s local approval is only part of the process and that the state licensing authority also reviews proximity and technical statutory requirements. Custer told commissioners the state had declined to give a preemptive opinion on whether the relocation would comply with state distance rules unless a license application was pending before the state. City staff said the state review would occur in the next state cycle and that the matter would return to the commission if needed.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the local change-of-location application. The commission voted to approve the local licensing action; the roll call showed a single dissenting vote and a majority of yes votes. Commission and staff remarks emphasized the administrative error — staff ran the item as a transfer rather than the statutorily required change of location — and repeated that final approval at the state level remains necessary before full operations at the new site are unquestionable.

Ending: The commission’s approval clears the local step of the licensing process. City staff said they will proceed with the state filing and will return to the commission with any additional state determinations or if adjustments to the local approval are required.

Votes and formal action
- Action: Approve local change-of-location alcohol license for Simple Spirits Inc. (d/b/a Happy Liquors) to relocate from 2424 Sylvester Highway to 110 Cordele Road, Unit 1. Outcome: approved (city-level). City staff emphasized the state licensing authority retains final approval and the item may return to the commission after state review.