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Board denies alcohol‑outlet permit for Shallowford Road grocery after neighborhood concerns
Summary
The commission voted to deny a request by Donna Pittman for an alcohol sales license at a small grocery at 2615 Shallowford Road, citing concerns about oversaturation, loitering and community impact; the applicant said the license was sought to serve Hispanic customers requesting specific beer brands.
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday denied an application by Donna Pittman for an alcohol‑outlet permit at 2615 Shallowford Road, a small grocery that serves a local Hispanic clientele.
Commissioner Ladina Bolton moved to deny the application for purposes of discussion and explained concerns raised in public and staff review about oversaturating the neighborhood with alcohol outlets and potential loitering near the site. The applicant and the store manager, who identified himself as Riaz, said the store had cleaned up a previously neglected property and that customers had requested 6–8 specific beer brands not available at the nearby Publix or Shell; the applicant said the grocery primarily serves grocery shoppers and not an alcohol‑only clientele.
Commission members said the neighborhood already has two nearby sellers of alcohol (a service station and a grocery), and commissioners noted the need to balance neighborhood revitalization against risks of increased loitering. The motion to deny carried.
Why it matters: The decision rejects a permit sought by a small, community‑oriented grocery operator and underscores the board's use of licensing decisions to consider neighborhood context and cumulative impacts of alcohol retailers.
Ending: The applicant may reapply in the future. Commissioners said they wanted to see sustained property maintenance and proof that the site would not become a focal point for loitering before supporting alcohol sales at the location.
