Kathleen Turner wrote: "If the State Store system is trying to create a more "upscale" store, that should include a commitment to deal aggressively with illegal behavior." In the midst of a bunch of holier-than-thou messages, I really believe that Kathleen has stated the case for or against the liquor store in the most logical way.
If the Zoning process and subsequent enforcement are done properly, then a new establishment should always be required to conduct itself responsibly. My understanding is that property owners/tenants (depending on how a lease is written) are responsible for the sidewalk out in front of their premises and any parking areas under their control. This includes keeping the surface in good repair, snow shoveled, trash picked up, etc. Plus I take it to mean that if there are panhandlers, loiterers, prostititues, drug dealers, vagrants on these premises, it is the property owners/tenants responsibility to deal with it. By the way, we at Abbraccio have to deal with this type of issue freqently; sometimes it means calling the police. The main argument AGAINST the liquor store, in my opinion, is their past failure to take any responsibility for outside of their premises. If someone really wanted to fight the proposal at Zoning, I recommend taking a videotape of a few hours of the front of the current store at 41st and Market. The front of store itself looks like an uninviting hellhole; it seems almost barricaded, as if it belongs in Baghdad. And then of course there are the panhandlers normally found all over in front. Meanwhile, if the liquor store folk wanted to make a case FOR the move to Walnut Street, then I think the best case would be a written ironclad commitment to maintaining the entire premises, inside and out, in a responsible manner. A senior LCB should be held accountable for any problems. (In other words, not like at the current store.) Perhaps you might note that I am not a big fan of the State Store system. It is my opinion that the worse liquor store in New Jersey is still better than the best liquor store in Pennsylvania. Roger
