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Committee approves transfer of off‑sale liquor license for specialty shop at Ghirardelli Square
Summary
The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee approved a transfer of a Type 21 (off‑sale general) liquor license to Pacific Retail VFC1 Inc. for a specialty oils, vinegars and spirits shop at Ghirardelli Square, with police‑recommended conditions on hours, wine strength and container size.
The Board of Supervisors’ Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on June 4 approved the transfer of a Type 21 off‑sale general license to Pacific Retail VFC1 Inc., allowing the specialty shop to sell beer, wine and distilled spirits at a Ghirardelli Square storefront in District 2.
Lieutenant Dave Falzon of the San Francisco Police Department recommended approval with conditions, saying the application had no station opposition or letters of protest but noted the location is “in an area of high crime” and an area of “undue concentration.” Falzon told the committee the department supports the liquor license transfer provided the business abide by several restrictions: sales limited to 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; no noise audible beyond the licensee’s control; no wine above 15 percent alcohol by volume except certain aged “dinner wines” aged at least two years and kept in corked bottles; a minimum wine container size of 500 milliliters; and a prohibition on powdered‑alcohol or similar non‑liquid alcohol products.
The applicant, identified in the clerk’s reading as Mike Palastro, said the shop is a small, specialty retailer that typically employs four to six people and sells specialty oils, vinegars and imported spirits. Palastro said the business has long fielded customer requests for alcoholic products and that ongoing renovations at Ghirardelli Square by the Jamestown Group have hurt sales; he told the committee the business is “down 10% this year because of the massive construction dust and noise.” He also said the business has supported local charities, including donations to the San Francisco Food Bank.
There was no public comment on the item. Supervisor David Campos moved the item forward; a colleague seconded, and the committee approved the transfer by unanimous consent.
Under the committee action, the applicant may proceed with licensing subject to the listed conditions; final licensing steps with the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will follow.
