Comment

Comment by Frank Foreal on March 22, 2011 at 11:53pm

It's interesting to see how many liquor stores are over here on Broadway.  I used to live in Placentia/Fullerton, and I swear we'd have to go on citywide hunts for a late night liquor run.  But I feel like there are way too many over here.  Granted some of them serve as markets, but not all of them.

Comment by Michael JB on March 21, 2011 at 5:57pm

@The Man -  Too true!  Guns don't kill people...PEOPLE kill people! haha!

 

I agree with you, bro.  We have to start some where and if this is is, so be it.  If the liquor store/corner store can be a genesis of neighborhood revitalization I'm all for it.

Comment by The Man on March 21, 2011 at 5:39pm

I agree with Jon, that liquor stores aren't "bad." but in some areas they have a negative reputation and are known to cause crime and other things.

 

@Michael JB, I see what you mean that liquor stores aren't the ones causing problems, but then again, guns don't kill people - bullets do. Cleaning and revitalizing entire neighborhoods has to start somewhere... there's no right or wrong choice on where to start improving neighborhoods. Starting with the stores isn't going to solve the problem, but if it's a "neighborhood" store that is visited by the community, then I see it as a good start to having a ripple effect elsewhere in the area.

 

I think as long as nothing is forced onto these businesses, and there are incentives to help their business/store grow by providing healthier options to the community and keeping their property maintained, this initiative might yield some positive effects.

 

Comment by Michael JB on March 21, 2011 at 1:41pm

"Have you been to a liquor to store that you know is known for it's crime and nuisance"  That's a misleading statement.  I don't feel like its the liquor store that's causing problems.  The loiterers, burglars, and thugs that hang in and around liquor stores are the ones causing problems!  Ralph's has liquor too but they aren't being called out.  CVS has one of the best whiskey selections I've ever seen and they don't get a bum wrap.  I guess thugs don't frequent grocery and drug stores. :D

 

I like the idea of getting liquor stores and corner stores cleaned up and offering healthy food options, but let's get real: we need to clean up and revitalize ENTIRE neighborhoods.  Not just the stores on the corner.

Comment by Black Market LB on March 21, 2011 at 11:36am

No more 4loco

Comment by John A Royce on March 21, 2011 at 10:30am

I can say from personal experience with our Cal Heights Clean Streets progarm, that areas around local liquor stores occupy some of the most perpetually dirty parking lots, alleys and public easements on our routes along the commercial corridors that surround our neighborohood. However, there are also fine examples of how well such markets can be run. Of course, like anything else, liquor stores are not inherently bad. Some are more professionally operated than others, but in many areas of the city, it appears that such uses have become the prominant retail presence, offering local consumers limited product choices, especially healthy ones. Once an area becomes saturated, the sense of place created likely deters other businesses from taking a chance - in a sense, it's a closed retail circle. To be sure, market forces are in play as well, and unfortunately, liquor stores all too often become the easiest way to ensure a profitable operation. Efforts to curb such proliferation and working to change that atmosphere may be one of the most positive steps we can take as we strive to revive fragile areas of the city. Whether or not this particular proposal ends up winning favor, the discussion is necessary and healthy.