Liquor conflict escalates

Grand 7 Food Store and Liquor, located at 3 N. Kingston St., has applied to transfer its liquor license to a new owner. Parents from the North Shoreview Montessori Elementary School and the neighborhood association are opposing the transfer because of its proximity to the school and the amount of criminal activity it attracts. The store is about 100 feet from the school.

Alcohol being sold right across the street from a school is really not appropriate, said Stacy Weiss of the North Shoreview Neighborhood Association.

The liquor license was issued to the store before the law prohibiting the sale of liquor within a close proximity to schools. Therefore, the state department of Alcoholic Beverage Control can't refuse the license, but rather can facilitate an agreement that will appease the neighborhood, said Eric Hirata, San Francisco district administrator of the ABC.

San Mateo Police Chief Susan Manheimer drafted a letter to the ABC on June 15 requesting limitations on the license.

Manheimer is suggesting the license prohibit the sale of alcohol during school hours. She also wants to prohibit small bottles of hard alcohol, fortified wines and liquors and outdoor alcohol advertising.

In addition, Manheimer requests limited display of adult materials and the owner's word that he'll monitor the area and discourage loitering.

The ABC can't enforce these requirements unless the store voluntarily agrees to abide by them. The ABC is currently negotiating with the store's owner and the license might not be finalized for another month, Hirata said.

The owner was unavailable for comment Friday.

Police have responded to the school and neighboring businesses 25 times in the last year. There was one armed robbery at the store and many calls involving drugs or alcohol, according to a letter by San Mateo police Sgt. Tim Sullivan to the North Shoreview Montessori Parent Teacher Association.

The San Mateo City Council is planning to discuss the issue 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 330 W. 20th Ave.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.