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Licenses Committee holds National Grocery application amid neighbor concerns over single-serve alcohol sales
Summary
The committee held an application for National Grocery at 3501 W. National after neighbors and community groups urged limits on single-serve alcohol cans; the applicant and neighbors disagreed about whether a voluntary restriction had already been implemented.
Milwaukee’s Licenses Committee on Feb. 19 held an application for National Grocery LLC at 3501 West National Avenue after neighbors and a community development organization pressed the applicant to stop selling single-serve alcoholic beverages.
The agent, Manpreet Singh, told the committee his grocery has operated in the neighborhood and that sales of alcoholic beverages are a significant portion of the business model. He said his team had removed 16-ounce single-serve cans from shelves but contested requests to bar all 16-ounce-or-larger single-serve alcoholic cans, saying that without availability of certain package types the purchase of the business would be financially unsustainable. “If we weren’t able to also sell the liquor, then it wouldn’t be financially wise to purchase the business,” attorney Vince (substitute) told the committee on behalf of the applicant.
Bridal Van Galen of Via CDC testified that the organization has invested in making the 30th block of National a retail and dining corridor and urged limiting access to single-serve alcohol to reduce public intoxication, litter and loitering. Jeff Spancia, a nearby property owner and neighborhood resident, said the block has “a scourge” of single-serve cans and supported restricting the smallest and cheapest packaged alcohol; he said he supported the business overall but not the sale of the smallest single-serve products.
Aldermanic reaction: Alderman Scott Spiker and others said they had met the applicant and wanted a track record before allowing a full liquor/packaged alcohol offering at the site. Aldermanic staff recommended the applicant consider removing 16-ounce cans as a first step. The applicant said he had removed 16-ounce cans but not larger 24- or 32-ounce single-serve formats; Alderman Zamarita said the committee would hold the item so the applicant and the alderman’s office could clarify whether a voluntary ban on certain single-serve formats would be implemented and whether MPD or licensing should receive a public-safety plan.
Outcome: The committee held the application to the call of the chair and noted the applicant should coordinate with the alderman and MPD; a provisional was mentioned as an option should the applicant need to operate while issues are resolved.
Why it matters: Neighborhood groups and property owners in parts of Milwaukee have pushed to reduce sales of inexpensive, single-serve alcohol containers, citing connections to public consumption and neighborhood disorder. The committee’s hold signals that aldermanic approval and neighborhood trust remain important for approvals of packaged alcohol in retail locations.
Key quote: “A reduction in accessibility is the first step, and must be strengthened with regular reporting, and prompt police responses to our neighbors’ calls for support,” Bridal Van Galen testified on behalf of Via CDC.
Next steps: The applicant and Alderman Zamarita’s office are expected to discuss possible voluntary restrictions, security measures and whether a CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design) walkthrough with MPD is appropriate. The committee will revisit the application once those issues are clarified.
