Planning commission approves MBM Market's request to sell beer and wine at 629 Michigan NE

The Grand Rapids City Planning Commission on June 11 approved a special land use and site plan allowing MBM Market to sell beer and wine for off-site consumption at 629 Michigan Street Northeast.

Staff presented the proposal as a request for alcohol sales in one tenant suite of an existing 6,000-square-foot building and recommended commissioners consider neighborhood impacts, hours, and the applicant’s operations plan, which included ID checks, nine security cameras, and CPTED compliance. "We submitted our camera operations to GRPD through the planning commission," the applicant's representative said, outlining the store's security measures.

Keesnet Tedesee, owner of MBM Market, described the store as an East African–oriented convenience store and told commissioners he has nearly nine years’ experience working in a liquor store. "I do have a good experience, and then I know how to manage, you know, sell into, minors or intoxicated," Keesnet Tedesee said.

Commissioners asked about outreach, lighting and access. Staff confirmed CPTED specialists from police and planning reviewed the plan and found the site meets visibility and lighting requirements, and commissioners sought assurances that primary doors would remain unlocked during business hours to preserve safe access from the parking lot. The applicant said both the front and rear doors would be available to customers during operating hours.

Deliberating, one commissioner noted a nearby gas station already sells beer and wine and said he did not expect the new sales to materially change conditions; another commissioner welcomed the store’s East African product selection as a neighborhood amenity. The commission approved the request with conditions that mirror the application’s operating hours (Monday–Thursday until 10 p.m., Friday–Saturday until 11 p.m., Sunday until 7 p.m.), require a functioning video surveillance system positioned as submitted, require CPTED compliance, and limit the refrigerated alcohol display to five cooler doors.

The approval also requires all permits (land use, building and other applicable permits) before operation and takes effect 16 calendar days after the planning commission’s decision. The applicant accepted the amended condition changing the number of cooler doors to five during the meeting.

The planning commission closed the public hearing on the item with no members of the public speaking.