Council reopens consideration of new Mini Mart license amid concerns about youth access near new high school

Central Falls City Council members reopened and questioned a licensing petition for a proposed Class C convenience store, LISK Mini Mart, after legal counsel advised the item be continued so the applicant could appear and respond to concerns about youth access to tobacco products near the city’s new high school.

Council first introduced the petition as a new-license consideration and—when the applicant was not present—legal counsel (identified in the transcript as Susan) recommended continuing the matter so the applicant could appear and address ‘‘issues of tobacco and access’’ and community concerns about underage customers. The council later moved to reconsider that continuation so the applicant could re-present her plans.

When the applicant appeared, she described a bodega-style store intended to serve a diverse community; she said she plans to carry some tobacco products but emphasized a family-friendly direction, EBT acceptance and an initial schedule of 7 a.m. to midnight daily. She said her adult son would help staff the business and described modest physical changes such as a small fence and a drive-through option to improve safety. The applicant said she has been working with a local hub and individuals named in the transcript (including Fabiola) as she prepares to open.

Council members and staff pressed on enforcement and compliance. One council speaker noted Rhode Island’s ban on flavored tobacco products and reminded the applicant that police have received grant funds for undercover sting operations to enforce youth access laws. Legal counsel advised that it would be valuable to have the applicant present to discuss how the business will prevent access by minors.

The transcript includes multiple rounds of questioning about hours of operation, staffing and product mix, and an exchange in which council members welcomed the applicant’s stated intent to diversify beyond tobacco sales. The record in this transcript does not include a subsequent vote approving or denying the Mini Mart license; the matter was brought back for discussion and questions but no final outcome is recorded here.

Next steps: the council’s procedural motion to reconsider the earlier continuation was made and seconded so the applicant’s presentation could be heard; the council will need to record a final decision or schedule a formal vote in a future meeting for the license application to be resolved.