After the Bonus Round bar closed by my house a new owner took over the Cliff avenue establishment. They went through the normal process of applying for a license. They were going to be a casino with off-sale beer. The next thing I know the place closes after just a few weeks and re-opens with no video lottery and only a walk up counter to buy small plastic package liquor and beer (they also sell vape products).
A city councilor told me that since they already approved the alcohol use the business owner can change that use however they want to.
While you would think I would welcome a liquor store in my backyard it’s a little more complicated then that.
The Get N’ Go at 14th and Cliff suddenly closed on May 1st. They sold the single malt beverage cans. Essentially the closure is pushing the alcohol sales to this liquor store.
I think in the future if an alcohol establishment presents a business plan to the council when applying for a license they should have to stick to that business model for at least 12 months or self-termination of the license.
Isn’t it ironic all the tears shed over MJ yet getting alcohol in this city is a walk in the park.
If you tie the hands of any citizen of this state to 1 year contract with the city, you could hamper their ability to adapt as the economic winds change from time to time. I would think, that a rule such as what you are proposing would be way to “restrictive”, especially in a very competitive market where we have almost 1,000 alcohol/malt beverage locations in Sioux Falls, of which roughly 23% of them have Video Lottery.
As for Lucky Ladies Casino, I would recommend renewing the Alcohol License, especially since the video lottery license is tied to the license, but but a Task Force or Special Committee be formed to discuss the Pettigrew/Cathederal public matter be worked out long term. I do not necessary believe the problems we are seeing here have anything to do with particular bar, and a special committee or commission to discuss the issues, forcing the landowner, business owner(s), and residents in front of each other for 4-6 meetings over the next 12 months could be a major asset to the city as ‘we’ make plans for future development in the area.
I’m still waiting for medical alcohol to surface again. It hasn’t been around since a couple chugs could do you during bullet removal surgery in the late 19th century. 😉