Council adopts licenses committee recommendations after debate over Dollar Tree and Pantry 41

The Milwaukee Common Council on April 2, 2025 adopted the recommendations of the licenses committee in file number 241706, approving a 15‑day suspension of the food dealer and weights-and-measures licenses for the Dollar Tree at 3555 S. Howell Ave. and the nonrenewal of the extended‑hours establishment license for Pantry 41 at 1202 W. Highland Ave.

The action followed five minutes of oral argument by Josh Gimmel, attorney for Dollar Tree, who told the council the company had engaged with aldermanic offices and neighbors since the committee hearing and asked the council to reduce the suspension to the 10‑day minimum mandatory period. “We have requested that the suspension be shortened to what I understand is the minimum mandatory, which is 10 day suspension,” Gimmel said, and asked that weights‑and‑measures authority be allowed to continue because the store cannot operate without it.

Aldermen pressed for assurances that workers would not be left unpaid during the suspension. “So you're saying that all employees at the location would be laid off?” asked Alderman Bergellis. Gimmel replied that his understanding was the store location would be closed for the suspension period and that employees “will not be working at that time.” Alderman Mark Chambers, Alderman Stamper and Alderwoman Charlin Moore urged Dollar Tree to consider reassigning or paying affected employees during the closure. “The employees should not… be suffering,” Moore said. Aldermen also asked for direct contact information from Dollar Tree managers and senior corporate staff; Gimmel said the company had supplied email contact from the regional director and senior vice president and that he would ensure aldermen who had not received it would be provided that information.

Alderman Scott Speicher asked to be recorded as “no” specifically on the suspension of extended hours for Pantry 41, saying he voted differently in committee. Despite that request, the council’s roll call on adoption of the licenses committee recommendations recorded 13 ayes and 1 excused. The clerk noted written objections had been filed for both the Dollar Tree and Pantry 41 recommendations in committee.

The licenses committee report, read into the record, described the Dollar Tree action as “renewal with a 15 day suspension of the food dealer and weights and measures licenses for Peter A. Barnett” at 3555 S. Howell Ave., based on preponderance of evidence that the operation posed a threat to health, safety or welfare for failure to comply with an approved plan of operations. The report described the Pantry 41 action as “non renewal of the extended hours establishment license for Gur Sahib Singh” at 1202 W. Highland Ave., citing police reports, neighborhood testimony, and alleged excessive loitering and illegal drug activity; written objections were also filed for that matter.

The council did not amend the committee recommendation on the suspension length at the floor vote. The record shows several aldermen urging Dollar Tree to use the suspension period to address store operations and to prioritize employees; councilmembers said they would monitor the company’s response when considering any future actions.

Votes and formal motions in this matter were taken as part of the council's approval of the licenses committee recommendations contained in file 241706.