Commission approves Simple Spirits’ change-of-location license over neighborhood objections

The Albany City Commission on Tuesday approved a conditional change-of-location alcohol license for Simple Spirits Inc., d/b/a Happy Liquors, allowing the package store to move from 2424 Sylvester Road to 110 Cordele Road Unit 1.

The vote followed extended public comment and attorney presentations after staff acknowledged the permit had been processed administratively as a license transfer rather than the required change-of-location application. Commissioners approved the item by roll call after a motion to approve the license was made and seconded.

The vote matters because the relocation puts two off-premise alcohol retailers in close proximity on the city’s east side and raised legal and neighborhood concerns about licensing procedure and state distance limits. Several speakers urged the commission to reject the transfer until the error was resolved; the applicant and his counsel said the city initially issued a license and the owner relied on that permit when buying the new property.

Jim Edge, an attorney with Moore Clark Newell & Rogers representing the applicant, told the commission…