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Council denies liquor-license reissuance for Wilmington market after residents, businesses oppose reopening
Summary
The City Council denied a request to reissue a liquor license for a market in Wilmington following extensive public comment from nearby business owners who said the corner had been cleared of drug and prostitution activity since the prior license closed.
The Los Angeles City Council on Friday voted 10-0 to deny reissuance of a liquor license for a market in Wilmington, following public testimony from local business owners and a motion from Councilmember Janice Hahn.
Why it matters: Speakers from the Wilmington business community said the reintroduction of a liquor license at the corner would reverse recent improvements in public safety and commercial conditions. Councilmember Hahn said she was standing with residents and business owners to "protect the quality of life for Wilmington" and moved to deny the permit.
Public comments: Four public speakers and petition signers told the council they opposed reissuing the license. Leo Soucek, who said he spoke to about 45 property and business owners in the area, told the council that roughly 42 opposed the license and described past problems of prostitution, drug dealing and break-ins at that address. Georgeathan Asopoulos, a long-time local business owner, described violent incidents and property damage he said occurred before the market closed and said the neighborhood had improved since the closure.
A separate commenter, Will Nieves, asked the council to review court settlement language tied to a 1998 eminent-domain action that closed the prior market. Nieves said city attorney records and settlement documents stated the city had agreed to "cooperate in the reintroduction of the license" and warned that denying the license might carry financial implications for the city and landlord if the settlement terms were not honored.
Council action: After public comment, Hahn moved to deny the liquor-sales permit; the council called the roll and recorded 10 ayes. The motion and vote were taken during the public hearing on agenda item 5; the council recorded the denial without vote narrative beyond the roll call. The transcript does not record the council adopting additional legal findings or specifying any follow-up review of potential settlement obligations cited by the public speaker.
Outcome and next steps: The request was denied and received a 10-0 vote. The transcript does not show the city attorney presenting a legal opinion on the settlement claim referenced in public comment, nor does it record any follow-up direction to staff to investigate that claim.
