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Relocation plans for Cassava deli run into zoning separation rule for package-store licenses
Summary
Representatives for Cassava deli described efforts to relocate and seek a beer-and-wine (package-store) permit but were cautioned about the city's separation requirement (discussed as 1,000 feet) and recent denials; the board advised pursuing zoning variances before expending fees and staff time on licensing.
Representatives for a business identified as Cassava (Wendy) told the Lawrence Licensing Board on Dec. 17 that they are seeking a new site for the deli and want to include beer-and-wine sales. Board members and counsel explained that package-store and on-premises licenses are subject to separation requirements and that recent applicants have been denied for proximity to other licensed establishments.
Board members described the practical difficulty of finding a site that meets the city's separation distance, discussed as 1,000 feet in the meeting, and advised the applicant to pursue zoning approval before filing a full licensing application. One commissioner noted that the zoning board can be unpredictable and that success at zoning does not guarantee licensing approval.
The board treated the presentation as informational: it did not approve a license relocation at the meeting but said the current license for the business remains valid for 2026 while the applicant continues to search for a suitable location. Staff and a commissioner suggested alternative neighborhoods where a package-store license might be feasible.
Why it matters: The issue highlights how local zoning and licensing rules interact and how separation requirements can constrain new package-store licenses in dense commercial corridors. Applicants face both a zoning process and a separate licensing review with its own criteria and neighborhood considerations.
What happens next: The applicant will pursue a zoning filing and return to the board if and when zoning approval is obtained. The board emphasized that applicants should confirm zoning clearance before spending licensing application fees or committing to a relocation plan.
