Committee forwards Trader Joe’s, Mainland Market and Alimento license transfers with ALU conditions

On Nov. 10 the Public Safety & Neighborhood Services Committee forwarded three ABC license transfers to the full Board of Supervisors with positive recommendations and conditions recommended by ALU and San Francisco police.

Trader Joe’s: The committee heard a PCN report from Sergeant Kennedy on a proposed Trader Joe’s at 10 Fourth Street (basement level) applying for a type 21 off‑sale general license that would permit sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits for off‑site consumption. Sergeant Kennedy reported two letters of protest, no letters of support in the packet, and described the site as in Plot 210 (a high‑crime designation) and Census Tract 176.01 (an undue‑concentration area). ALU’s recommended conditions included limiting the percentage of retail space used for alcohol displays, prohibiting small distilled spirit containers under specified milliliter thresholds, minimum package sizes for beer sales, wine ABV and bottle‑size limits, a loitering prohibition and restricted hours (8 a.m.–10 p.m.). Adam McMicken, Trader Joe’s regional vice president, told the committee the company accepts the conditions and described the location as an underserved area in need of grocery retail access. Tenderloin residents raised concerns about assaults, public intoxication and neighborhood saturation of hard liquor sellers; resident Susan Bridal asked whether a type 20 (beer and wine only) would be more appropriate.

Mainland Market: The committee heard a PCN for Mainland Market Company, seeking a type 20 (beer and wine) license for 5601 Geary Boulevard. Sergeant George reported one valid protest letter, no letters of support, and noted the site is in a high‑saturation Census Tract; Richmond Station expressed no opposition. ALU approved with conditions (hours 7 a.m.–10 p.m., package minimums, wine ABV limits and loitering restrictions). Owner Brad Christian described renovating the former Evergreen Market, adding deli and produce service and improving the corner’s appearance and amenities; the applicant agreed to the ALU conditions. The committee forwarded the item with a positive recommendation.

Alimento: For Najwa Inc., doing business as Alimento at 507 Columbus Avenue, Sergeant Kennedy reported no letters of protest or support, but that the location is in Plot 130 (high crime) and Census Tract 107 (undue concentration). ALU recommended conditions banning powdered/non‑liquid alcohol products, prohibiting small sizes of distilled spirits below specified milliliter thresholds, prohibiting single‑serve open plastic receptacles below multi‑pack quantities and imposing loitering restrictions; the applicant agreed. Shadi Zuhayar, speaking for the project sponsor, said he has run Coit Liquor in North Beach for more than a decade and submitted a petition with nearly 50 pages of resident addresses supporting the project. The committee forwarded Item 4 with a positive recommendation.

All three items will go to the Board of Supervisors on Nov. 29. The ALU conditions and SFPD positions were recorded in the committee packet and will be part of the Board record.