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Pritchard public hearing draws residents’ opposition and council fails to approve People's Mart beer/wine/tobacco license
Summary
At a July 16 public hearing, residents and clergy urged the Pritchard City Council to deny a retail beer/table wine and tobacco license for a proposed People's Mart at 604 N. Wilson Ave, citing proximity to schools and churches; the council's motion to approve the license failed for lack of a second.
The Pritchard City Council on July 16 held a public hearing on an application for a retail beer, table‑wine and tobacco license for a proposed People's Mart at 604 North Wilson Avenue; council president opened the hearing and allotted three speakers per side.
The most prominent opponents included Bishop Javon McIntosh, pastor of New Destiny Church, who said selling alcohol and tobacco “in close proximity to our school, churches, and our family places sends the wrong message for our children” and asked the council to deny the request to “protect our youth, support our families, and preserve the character of this community.” Eric English, identifying himself as a concerned citizen, echoed those concerns and cited data he said show underage e‑cigarette users obtain products from nearby retail sources.
The applicant's representative told the council the location is intended as a grocery and convenience store with an industrial kitchen and a broad range of food and household goods; the speaker said tobacco sales would represent a minority of the business’s revenue and argued the owner has no history of violations. The applicant also noted changes in state vaping rules set to take effect later in the year.
Council members questioned what specific alternative‑nicotine products the store would sell and discussed the scope of state law changes. After discussion, a council member moved to approve the People's Mart license; the motion received no second and the motion failed, so the council did not approve the retail beer/table wine/tobacco license at this meeting.
Why it matters: Council licensing decisions affect where alcohol and tobacco are available near schools and churches, an issue residents said has public‑health and youth‑protection consequences. The hearing also illustrates how applications that mix grocery services and alcohol/tobacco components can prompt community debate.
What’s next: The motion to approve failed for lack of a second at this meeting. Applicants may choose to revise the application, withdraw it, or return to a future meeting; the council did not record an alternative approval or a revised vote during the session.
Attributions: Quotes and attributions in this article come from speakers at the public hearing and the council proceeding: Council President (presiding), Bishop Javon McIntosh (pastor, New Destiny Church), Eric English (concerned citizen) and the applicant representative (People's Mart).
