The number of liquor stores Baltimore City is seeking to move from their current locations or close has dropped from 128 to 98, but four locations in North Baltimore are still in danger of being shutdown.
The city plans to enforce zoning rules written 41 years ago, and within the next two years will force the stores to close, move to a location that is zoned for the sale of alcohol or stay put and not sell liquor.
"Our latest analysis of state liquor board records shows that of the current 122 Non-Conforming Class A licenses, 22 will become conditional uses and two will become conforming as defined by the proposed Transform Baltimore Zoning Code," Brian Schleter, a Health Department spokesman wrote in an email to Patch.
Under these revisions, the Schnapp Shop, New Guilford Liquors, and are all in danger of closing.
The city’s zoning code was rewritten in 1971 and prohibited liquor stores in the middle of a residential block, but existing licenses were allowed to stay in operation. But now the city, citing Johns Hopkins studies linking these stores to violence, wants them to move or close.
During a news conference on Wednesday, which is posted to the Health Department’s website, Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot argues that the number of liquor stores has remained consisted during the last 40 years while the city’s population has declined by 31 percent.
"In addition, almost three-quarters of the alcohol outlets operating outside of the zoning code are primarily concentrated in the poorest area of the city," Barbot said.
Patch was unable to contact anyone at the four North Baltimore stores for comment on this story.
I understand there are health and social implications of liquor establishments but the city should not simple pull the licenses of successful business. If they are selling to underage kids, fine them, if they are engaging in illegal activity bust them, but don’t shut down businesses that are simply selling a legal product. Also, no real compensation is being offered when the city does decide to pull their licenses. The argument is that they can sell other items but in reality this large of a vital change in product has never proven to have lasting success, if they would have made money selling groceries, they would have already been doing so. Last time I checked this is country of free enterprise, private property, and private businesses and for the city of Baltimore to do anything outside of that standard such as tell small business what they can legally sell after acquiring a license would simply be communist.
Why not let each neighborhood determine the fate of their respective stores? This is like throwing a grenade in a room because half the people are bad and counting the innocent casualties as 'collateral damage.' That's the term the zoning official used to excuse the financial ruination of 100+ families. This is not the solution to the problems of select areas. Urge your city council rep to find an alternative!!
Oh gosh what a neat statistic. Could this be an argument for having 31% less government- or at least 31% fewer councilpersons? Excuse me if this has already occurred and I missed it.