Alcohol will soon be more accessible on Wisconsin Avenue if Safeway succeeds in obtaining a liquor license.
The Alcohol Beverage Control Board and the Mayor’s Office have not yet been willing to issue the license to the local grocery store because of its proximity to Hardy Middle School, which sits across from the store on Wisconsin Avenue, and are concerned that the selling of liquor could negatively affect the neighboring community.
In April, Safeway officially applied for a liquor license and, in June, the matter was brought before Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E. Ultimately, the ANC voted 5-2 opposing the license ANC Commissioner Mike Glick (COL ’05) said that while the ANC does not make the final decision, they advise ABC on the relevant issues and their decision is given “great weight.”
At the June meeting, Safeway liaison Craig Muckel introduced the plan but immediately received sharp criticism. ANC Chairman Tom Birch challenged Safeway on the grounds that, “the threshold for the ABC licenses is within 400 feet of a D.C. public school.” Thus Safeway does not meet the legal requirement for the distance a store that sells liquor must be from a school, Birch explained.
In response, Muckel stated that Fresh Fields, another supermarket chain, had set a precedent by dividing its property into two separate properties. If Safeway did the same, the store building would be a legal distance away from the school to sell liquor. Essentially, the Safeway parking lot, which is in front of the store, could be recognized as a separate property which would farther distance the store from the school.
ANC Commissioner Len Levine further dissented. Citing the distance from the school, he also brought to issue the proximity of the Jelleff Boys and Girls Club, which is adjacent to the supermarket, “vehicular safety in and around the Safeway parking lot, and general peace, order and quiet in the area.”
Both Birch and Levine argued that the presence of alcohol at Jelleff Club athletic events would give youth access to Safeway’s liquor. Furthermore, Levine said that, “even if they did meet the legal limit by dividing the lot, they were still too close for his liking.”
Glick remained one of only two supporters of the license.
Glick cited the existence of other liquor stores relatively close to the Safeway.
“There are other places like Wagner’s Liquors,” he said. “Perceived problems with underage drinking were apparent already.”
Glick added that Safeway would not engage in behavior that would threaten its national reputation.
“[Safeway] is a nationally recognized chain that would be responsible so that we know middle schoolers would not be sold anything.”
Finally, Glick made the argument that college students in the area often do not have cars and that when they do shop, it would be convenient to have alcohol present.
A Safeway management representative who would not give his name stated that the license has not yet been issued and that the matter remains with ABC Board and the Mayor’s Office.
It is unknown when a decision will be reached.
