Licenses Committee denies Angel Liquor Wine & Food Mart application after aldermanic objections

The Milwaukee Licenses Committee denied an application for a Class A liquor and food-dealer license for Angel Liquor Wine & Food Mart at 5928 South 20th Street on Feb. 19, voting 4–1 after aldermanic objections about the applicant’s experience and neighborhood impact.

The committee took up the application from agent Pinky Gil, represented by Attorney Mike Maiselman. Alderman Scott Speicher, whose district includes the site, told the committee he had reviewed the applicant’s experience operating a corner store and said he was “a little concerned” about allowing a full liquor license where the operator’s prior locations had only sold beer. “I wouldn’t be in support of that,” Speicher said, adding that he would be willing to consider beer only while the operator built a track record.

Attorney Maiselman told the committee the applicant intended to operate the site as a grocery-style store with food service and seating, and said the purchase relied on the existing operation’s revenues, which include liquor sales. “If we weren’t able to also sell the liquor, then it wouldn’t be financially wise to purchase the business,” Maiselman said.

Alderman Lamont Westmoreland moved to deny the application, citing the preponderance of aldermanic testimony about neighborhood impacts and operator inexperience. On a roll-call vote the committee recorded four yes votes to deny and one no: Alderman Thomas Regaliz (no); Alderman Bratt (aye); Alderman Speicher (aye); Alderman Westmoreland (aye); Alderman Jocasta Samariappa (aye). The chair announced the motion passed 4–1; the application was denied.

Why it matters: Aldermanic testimony on license applications is often decisive in Milwaukee’s licensing committee. This decision keeps a liquor-license gap at the site and leaves the applicant the option to reapply, seek a more limited license, or pursue other transactions.

Details and next steps: The applicant declined to amend the application on the spot to remove liquor; Attorney Maiselman said the buyer could not make the purchase work financially without liquor sales. The committee did not set conditions or a timetable for reapplication. The record shows active engagement from Alderman Speicher and the local aldermanic office during review, including discussions about restrictions that could be placed on a future application.

Quotes (from committee record): “I wouldn’t be in support of that…beer is fine, liquor without that experience I would be not supportive,” Alderman Scott Speicher. “It wouldn’t be financially wise to purchase the business” if liquor were removed, Attorney Mike Maiselman.

Meeting context: The discussion took place during the Licenses Committee meeting on Feb. 19, 2025. The committee’s vote reflected aldermanic concerns about neighborhood fit and operator experience, rather than a staff recommendation or statutory violation.

Outlook: The applicant may seek to revise the proposal (for example, to limit sales to beer and wine only) or negotiate purchase terms that do not rely on liquor revenue; the committee’s denial does not prohibit a future application.