Council approves Southside Market liquor license with limits on single-serve sales

The Omaha City Council on Aug. 5 approved a Class D liquor license for Southside Market and Spirits, 2001 Vinton Street, after adding restrictions on single-serve sales.

The council unanimously amended the applicant's voluntary restrictions and then approved the license. Council member Ben Hugg moved to add a condition prohibiting the sale of "any liquor or beer, 50 milliliter or less, and any single 16 ounces or less," and the motion passed on a 7-0 roll call. The subsequent motion to approve the license as amended also passed 7-0.

Sean Kelly, appearing on behalf of the applicant, told the council the applicant was "voluntarily, prohibiting sales of, 50 milliliters or less with hard liquor and, beer products less than 16 ounces." He said he was available to answer questions.

At the public hearing, neighborhood resident Michael Marcello said the area near 2001 Vinton Street already has problems with homelessness and drug abuse and that the neighborhood already has multiple liquor licenses. "Our neighborhood already has, I believe, 6 liquor licenses within 2 blocks of that address," Marcello said, and noted a substance-abuse facility within 500 feet of the proposed store.

Council members discussed and then adopted Hugg's amendment before voting to approve the license as amended. The recorded roll call on both the amendment and final approval showed Roe, Festersen, Goodwin, Harding, Hugg, Milton and Melton voting yes.

The council record does not show a named second for the amendment or the final motion; both actions were recorded as having a motion and a second and then a roll-call vote.

No other conditions or enforcement details were specified in the hearing record provided.