This is a good sign for my nieghborhood. On one side, we have yuppies (both black and white) pressing the crack corner liquor store near their homes, and the mosque applying appropriate pressure to the cracky liquor store literally in their front yard.
I’m not totally against having liquor stores in the neighborhood, of course, but these are the kinds that have giant coolers full of fortified wine and malt liquor.
Personally, I’d like to se an overhaul in Atlanta’s liquor licenses. Right now, I believe there are three, a retail license, a full bar license and a beer/wine restaurant license, plus hundreds of little grandfathered licenses like the Club Anytime license that allows the bar to open 24 hours per day.
I’d like to see one added for “upscale retailer” that allows for wine importing (currently illegal in Georgia unless you’re a distributor) and the sales of beer and spirits with NO SINGLE BEVERAGE sales. That way, there’d be no question of an applicants intentions. If they went for the “no singles” license, they’d be out of the malt liquor.boone’s farm business entirely.
MARCH 20, 2003
Undesirable business in Eastlake Area closes
BY NATHAN MILLER
Residents of the Eastlake community received what many considered good news at the March 4 meeting of the Atlanta License Review Board. Several residents attended the meeting hoping to prevent Big T supermarket from renewing its liquor license. Opponents of Big T were told at the review board meeting that the owner of Big T had decided to sell the store and was withdrawing his application for a liquor license. The Big T supermarket was sold to a neighboring Islamic mosque for an undisclosed amount. The store, which many in the community considered a haven for crime, is located at 2349 Glenwood Ave. SE. “It was a win-win situation,” said resident Andrea K. Smith, who attended the meeting. “I was happy with the turnout of neighbors.” John Wuichet, who lives in Eastlake Commons, said, “The outcome was favorable with one exception—the proprietor should have been treated more leniently.” The owner of Big T, Thanh Hong Vu, was fined $2,000 after admitting that his establishment sold alcohol to minors on two separate occasions. Vu was also cited for “failure to supervise” his employees, according to board chairman Barney Sims. After the board hearing, Vu, through a translator, said that he decided to sell his store because the establishment was not getting the amount of business it used to get. “Vu is not there to control a lot of factors involved,” said Vu’s translator Tony Ngo. Vu insisted the accusations had nothing to do with his decision. Yusuf Muwwakkil, property development coordinator for the Al-Islam Mosque, said the purchase of the Big T store is a positive move for the community. He said this is the first of several businesses they would like to see closed in order to provide a livable environment to the Eastlake community. “We hope to build an area where people can live and work, similar to downtown Decatur,” said Muwwakkil. “We hope to add a new mosque, some green space, and some condos.” Muwwakkil also expressed a desire to close or purchase two liquor stores in the area. The Pitch and Putt Liquor store at 2349 Glenwood Ave. and the Eagle Package store have both declined offers from the mosque. “The Pitch and Putt put forth an offer that was unreasonable,” said Muwwakkil. The owner of the Pitch and Putt, In Tuk Na, said that he has no problems with the community or the police. “I want to stay and operate here,” he said. “My customers want me to stay.” Woom Sik Choi, an employee at the store, said the mosque does not want to pay a fair price for the property. Muwwakkil takes issue with Na. “Those businesses are a blight on the community,” he said. Although Muwwakkil said he believes that Na has the right to operate a business, he thinks the liquor business is not an optimal choice for the Eastlake community. “The community has a right to choose the type of businesses we want and don’t want,” Muwwakkil said. He stressed the point that he wanted Na to join with the community and provide a service that is not harmful to the community. Eastlake Commons resident David George agrees with Muwwakkil. “I am glad the mosque is taking a leadership role on redevelopment,” he said. “We don’t need any more package and liquor stores.” Area residents point to what they consider positive steps taken in the community recently, such as a Publix supermarket and the new BP gas station that have opened in the area. Those are the types of businesses residents want in the neighborhood, George said. Resident Sarah Thorsen is typical of residents’ attitudes about the Eastlake area. “I support the Muslims in their effort to clean up the neighborhood,” she said. “They do great community work and I would not mind the mosque buying up the land.” While most residents are happy with recent developments, they will have to wait and see what the outcome will be. Na wants to stay in the neighborhood but others want to see business like his elsewhere. “Liquor stores have no value in the community,” said Muwwakkil. “They belong in industrial areas.”
11 responses so far ↓
1 Tone // Mar 21, 2003 at 11:42 am
Good to hear. We need similar efforts in my neighborhood. Some that were thought to be on the way (nicer grocery story, etc.) now seem to be on hold because of city budget woes.
2 I'm just saying // Mar 24, 2003 at 10:46 pm
Liquor stores in communities adversely impacted by crimes associated with drugs and alcohol abuse are a law enforcement issue. I can also appreciate that the community is distressed by the “degrading” character these business appear to create. However, alcohol is a legal product that adults of legal age may consume. The mosque is absolutely incorrect, however, in asserting that “communities” hold the exclusive right to determine restraint of trade. We are a nation of laws, not mobs. I will go out on a limb and say that the organization’s professed faith may figure into their reasoning. Faith is an important Constitutional safeguard. However, any implication that it should interfere with legitimate secular trade is an outrage.
3 scotty the body // Mar 25, 2003 at 8:20 am
Well, it’s a bit trickier than that. In the ‘hood, where we live, nobody ever had any fair representation in terms of permits and licensing, which ARE legal means through which the community has a say over what businesses can operate locally. Just as a community can reject building permits, so can they recommend to reject liquor licenses for establishments.
Additionally, I’m not sure where you live, but you have to appreciate the fact that Atlanta’s police do as good of a job with what they have, but the department is understaffed and serious crime deserves attention before petty offenses like crackheads smoking rock in the alley or public intoxication. Communities sometimes have to step in and provide their own policing through legal means.
As you say, alcohol sales is a legal way to ply one’s trade, so why not listen to the community? If these stores were to get rid of all of the single malt liquor and unbelievably cheap fortified wine, and replace it with some “yuppie” quality booze, which is very much in need here, I doubt very much they’d be feeling the squeeze.
The mosque may have mispoken a bit.
4 I'm just saying // Mar 25, 2003 at 5:08 pm
scotty, your opening is well stated. all the same, i believe the issue of liscensing, etc. may complicate matters, however, it doesn’t change the essential thrust of my statement. It is preferable that law enforcement matters remain in the provenance of law enforcement, and business matters, so long as they are legal and conform to reasonable regulatory oversight, be left alone. A kind of render unto Ceaser proposition.
Community members can choose to frequent or reject the services of the businesses in question. It may not be the most popular logic in some quarters, but the market supports that whi c h sells and rejects that which doesn’t. I only object in the matter because in passing by one of the establishments, I found it disingenuous that the Mosque’s signs could simultaneously demand that people refuse to patronize the establishment and simultaneously condemn the war. They have a right to free speech (so please don’t fault me on that point! 
), however, as a group that has both a business and moral interest in the preceedings, I think their communications are mixed and more than a little misspoken. Would they object to a more “yuppie” scale alcohol establishment in the same location? I live in the hood, too. I wrestles with lots of the same questions. Peace.
5 scotty the body // Mar 25, 2003 at 5:14 pm
I see your point.
It does seem heavy handed of the mosque to be out picketing with the “alcohol kills” signs, but they’re fed up.
It’s not the most preferable method, I’ll admit, but at some point, we just need some action.
6 wes // Apr 10, 2003 at 2:43 pm
Didn’t Club Anytime go out of business like three years ago? I believe it is now the Riviera (but still a 24 hour private membership dance club).
7 Awake East Lake // Nov 22, 2003 at 1:40 am
Why is the Muslim mosque able to get away with noise violations at all hours of the day? It is now 1:36 in the AM and I have been awake for most of the night listening to a Muslim person speaking about Allah. Talk about forcing religion down my throat.
This isn’t the first time either. I can’t even count how many times I’ve been disturbed from my sleep at 5 30 AM from some unintelligible jargon being broadcast on loud speakers.
This is an invasion of privacy and my Constitutionally-protected right to the pursuit of happiness.
8 scotty the body // Nov 22, 2003 at 7:43 am
Have you filed any complaints?
I know that in many communitiies, church bells are required to stop “bonging” at 10PM (or whatever) and cannot start again until 7AM or 8AM.
I see no reason the mosque should be brooadcasting prayers or whatever in the small hours. By the very nature of our nation, religions are not above laws, and if what they are doing is violating any law, they should be required to stop.
9 scotty the body // Nov 22, 2003 at 7:47 am
I empathize with your complaint. We had steel plates in the road ka-chung-ing us awake at all hours for months. Disturbed sleep is a genuine bummer.
I will say that I think it is very cool that we have a big mosque here in East Lake. I also think it’s really cool to see burqa-clad women wearing Nikes buying veggie chicken nuggets in the Publix. What a wonderful country!
10 Awake East Lake // Nov 22, 2003 at 2:18 pm
Scotty,
Indeed I have filed a complaint. Last night I called the Atlanta police at 1 AM to inform them of the noise violation/disturbance of the peace. The noise eventually stopped around 1 55 AM. I don’t know if it went off this morning around 5 30 or so because I was so tired from staying up so late (I can’t keep up with these kids now-a-days).
If it happens again I will file a complaint. They play it during the day as well, and I don’t mind as much because I’m already awake. Now if I could just get the bass to stop shaking my couch. Alas, that’s a different thread.
11 Tikihead // Nov 23, 2003 at 10:27 am
We’re pretty lucky here in Kirkwood, none of that stuff. But if it did start here, I am certain I would go “archie bunker.” Sleep is a precious, precious commodity.
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