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SLA denies Vinny Wine & Spirits reconsideration amid concerns the area is saturated
Summary
The State Liquor Authority denied a reconsideration request by 425 North State Street LLC (Vinny Wine & Spirits) after opposition lawyers argued the proposed store would not add public convenience in an area already served by several large stores. Commissioners cited saturated market data and lack of new evidence.
A renewed bid to open Vinny Wine & Spirits at 425 North State Street was denied by the State Liquor Authority after opposition from existing retailers and questions over whether the neighborhood has capacity for another liquor store.
Opponents, represented by counsel, showed maps and sales data they said demonstrated the proposed location would sit "smack dab in the middle" of a cluster of large, established stores and would not expand the customer base. "If you look at that map, you will see that this proposed store is basically exactly in the middle of 10 other stores," opposition counsel Alexandra Becker told members. Commissioner Edgar De Leon said he had not heard evidence showing public convenience or advantage and voted to deny reconsideration; the disapproval stands.
One commissioner voting to approve said geography made a case for the applicant, but a majority concluded there was no new evidence since the prior hearing. The item was disapproved and the earlier denial remained in effect.
