El Faro Grocery Deli seeks permission to sell beer near school; board hears owner’s family support

An application by El Faro Grocery Deli to sell beer in a neighborhood convenience store was presented at the Bridgeport Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. Ricardo Salty said he represents El Faro and asked the board to approve beer sales to provide convenience to customers and support the store’s business.

Salty described the store as a neighborhood convenience outlet and said the business had supplied required application materials and identification procedures. When a board member asked whether the store is within 750 feet of New Beginnings Family Academy, Salty confirmed it was. He answered that there are no houses of worship or day-care centers near the site and described the hardship as the convenience and economic needs of the store and its customers.

The agenda entry for the item listed the location as "2682, also known as 674 Aranistan Avenue," while the applicant referred to the store as being at a different address during remarks (transcript: "682 Grand Eastern Avenue"). The record therefore contains inconsistent address references for the application; the transcript does not clarify which is the official application address.

A family member identified as Edward Rodriguez spoke in favor, saying the store has improved under the family's ownership over the last approximately three years. Chair Robert Shepherd closed the public hearing. During open session a motion to approve the beer permit was made and seconded, but the transcript ends before any roll-call or recorded final vote appears.