Chicago:Liquor stores agree to stop selling ‘cheap’ booze

Nine South Side liquor stores have tentatively agreed to stop selling certain, inexpensive alcoholic drinks within the next 60 days in an effort to help improve the community.

Alderman Pat Dowell, whose 3rd Ward includes portions of Bronzeville and where the liquor stores are located, brokered the agreement.

Dowell explained that the agreement calls for the liquor stores to stop selling such alcoholic drinks as Wild Irish Rose wine and Colt 45 malt liquor beer.

“These alcoholic drinks are relatively cheap and easy to buy from simply begging on the street for change,” Dowell said. “Patrons will purchase these drinks and when they are done they would throw their bottles and cans on the ground littering up the community.”

At Defender press time, a complete list of alcoholic drinks that soon would no longer be sold was unavailable.

“I presented this voluntary agreement to 12 3rd Ward retailers that sell alcohol and nine agreed to the terms,” Dowell told the Defender. “My purpose for drafting this agreement is not to rid the 3rd Ward of liquor stores but to make liquor stores more responsive to the needs of the community.”

The nine stores are Hyde Park Food & Liquor, 126 E. 51st St., Vegas Food & Liquor, 330 E. Pershing Road, 200 Liquors, 204 E. 47th St., Zaid Certified Foods, 513 E. 47th St., Sunrise Supermarket, 549 E. Pershing Road, Jardan Food & Liquor, 317 E. Garfield Blvd., Red Apple Food & Liquor, 317 E. 51st St., Aristo Food & Liquor, 307 E. 47th St., and Woods Foods & Liquor, 300 E. 35th St., which is Black-owned.

While a potential loss of revenue was an initial concern of the nine liquor merchants, in the end “they wanted to do what was best for the community and for that I commend them,” the alderman said.

Additionally, the stores have also agreed to stop selling loose cigarettes, tobacco-wrapping paper and attend a minimum of four Chicago Alternative Community Strategy meetings a year. Further, all employees must pass an alcohol training class, the stores will install outdoor cameras and more outdoor lighting, cease using inappropriate outside advertisements –including ones that include scantily-dressed women, and enroll in a better garbage disposal program.

Source