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Redevelopment commission refers multiple liquor‑license offers to staff; downtown business draws public support
Summary
Commissioners voted to send several competing proposals for a three‑way downtown liquor license to staff for further review. A Bank Hammond resident delivered public comment urging support for Paradise/Aubrey Zelinka, citing the business's role in downtown revitalization.
The Hammond Redevelopment Commission on Nov. 18 voted to refer multiple responses for a downtown three‑way liquor license to staff for further evaluation.
Staff detailed bids and management offers from several respondents: Tutti's Chicken and Fish LLC submitted a primary purchase offer of $50,000 (with an optional five‑year management agreement totaling $102,000); an offer attributed to Aubrey Zelinka of Paradise (listed in packet as Paradise Motoki/Paradise Mo Kotiki) proposed a $5,000 purchase price; Jay Ganesh Liquor, Hammond LLC proposed $35,001; a Maya/Eatsa Coffee proposal described a $1,000 monthly management fee for five years with a right to purchase after five years for $10,000 (a total payment to the city of roughly $70,000 over five years); and a local brewery proposed a $1,100 monthly management fee or a $40,000 purchase payable over 36 months.
Public comment followed. Nancy Hannibal, a resident who said she moved into the Bank Hammond Building in April 2025, urged the commission to "weigh heavily" the contributions of Paradise and its owner, Aubrey, and to support the business's application. "Paradise is worth supporting," Hannibal said, and described the business's community contributions, fundraising and promotional efforts that she credited with helping downtown become more walkable and active.
Why it matters: a downtown liquor license influences local retail mix, evening foot traffic and the business case for restaurants and entertainment venues. Several proposals offer different mixes of upfront purchase price and multi‑year management/lease‑to‑own arrangements; the commission opted to have staff analyze terms and return recommendations.
The motion to refer the submissions was made by Commissioner Myricks and seconded; the referral passed on a 5–0 roll call. Staff indicated it will evaluate offers and report back to the commission; commissioners took no final licensing action at the meeting.
