How to Apply for or Protest a Liquor License in STL

For those interested in what goes into apply or protesting a liquor license in St. Louis City, here are some informational links:

On the liquor license application process: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/excise/steps-to-apply.cfm 

On protesting a liquor license application: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/excise/protest-liquor-license.cfm 

And, protest rules and regulations (PDF): https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/excise/documents/upload/Protest-Rules-and-Regulations-2019.pdf

Happy reading,
~Seth

 

 

They're baaack (And so are we)

Flashback to 2016: Circle K promised only to expand if they obtained a liquor license. Failing to do so, the project sat dormant for a few years. Then, with the help of our Alderman and LPNA leadership they shoved the expansion through City rezoning approvals anyway. Part of that push in 2018 was the promise that Circle K wasn't seeking a liquor license.

Meeting notice from Alderman Vaccaro on 06/08/2018

 

Covid delayed the expansion, but in Feb 2022, they began moving and (literally) shaking the neighborhood. As of this writing, they are still weeks maybe days from opening. However, their inside signage clearly identifies refrigerators labeled "WINE" and "The COOLER Beer & Wine."

Photo Credit: Don Bertelsmann, used with permission.

Except -- according to the Excise Division, they have yet to apply for a liquor license. Unless they plan to corner the market on non-alcoholic options, they are gearing up to petition for one.

Is that a bad thing? I think so. Plenty of neighbors directly affected think so. Other Wards think so. Take this Ward 21 ordinance putting a 5-year ban on new liquor licenses (Ordinance 71045), stating:

The existence of alcoholic beverage establishments appears to contribute directly to numerous peace, health, safety and general welfare problems including loitering, littering, drug trafficking, prostitution, public drunkenness, defacement and damaging of structures, pedestrian obstructions, as well as traffic circulation, parking and noise problems on public streets and neighborhood lots. The existence of such problems creates serious impacts on the health, safety and welfare of residents of single- and multiple-family within the district, including fear for the safety of children, elderly residents and of visitors to the district. The problems also contribute to the deterioration of the neighborhood and concomitant devaluation of property and destruction of community values and quality of life.

So, we're back.
~Seth

Ray of Light Daycare

As announced in the June 5th City Journal, Ray of Light Childcare (the link goes to their facebook page; the website is not up yet) has received their zoning permit at 6836 Fyler to begin providing daycare service for up to 4 children.

Congratulations! I'm very glad to see residents providing needed community services.

Circle K Expansion 2.0

Alderman Joe Vaccaro posted this morning (June 8th) to the closed LPNA facebook group, that Circle K will again begin the process of purchasing and rezoning the residential unit adjacent to the existing property with the intent of building a massive facility in its place.

Per his post (see image), there will be a meeting held in Timothy Lutheran Church (6704 Fyler Ave, 63139) on June 18th at 6:30pm.

Highlights of the Dec 5 LPNA General Assembly Meeting

Lindenwood Park Neighborhood Association President Janet Desnoyer began the evening promptly at 7:30pm by thanking Annette Bridges, the Neighborhood Improvement Specialist for Ward 23 who will be retiring this month after six years of service. Vaccaro (23^rd Ward Alderman) and Kratky (82^nd Districted State Representative) presented both city and state proclamations for her dedication and service.

Alderman Vaccaro spoke to the gathering about a December 16^th court date for a person of interest who has been charged with several burglaries and drug volations over a significant period of time. He (and later Officer Stehlin) said he would be asking for neighbors to write letters and/or attend the date to show that the neighborhood is interested in seeing the law enforced.

Alderman Vaccaro also said that Chick-Fil-A will be moving into what is currently For Your Entertainment (FYE) on Hampton. He then answered questions and concerns from the audience including a concern on the negative impact of potential tax breaks for developments related to Ballpark Village, a new professional soccer team interested in moving to St. Louis, and the Scott Trade center. Another attendee asked about speed bumps and traffic calming measures that were discussed several months previous. Vaccaro said that research is still being conducted but Lindenwood Park should start to see some of those traffic calming measures implemented in the Summer of 2017.

Darlene Green, Comptroller for the City of St. Louis then spoke briefly on the Green HELP home energy-efficiency loan program her department is currently managing. For more information and/or to apply visit https://www.greenhelpstlouis.com/.

After a few LPNA committee reports, Public Safety Officer Vince Stehlin spoke about a number of items.

First, the suspect for the armed robbery committed at the Circle Kat Jamieson and Fyler on Nov. 26th is still at large. SLMPD have a few leads and are perusing them. Officer Stehlin sympathized with neighbors who were concerned that crime reports aren’t always made public (such as the armed robbery of Sep 7^th which also took place at the Circle K at Jamieson and Fyler, but was never publicly reported), but that sometimes his superiors make him withhold information when releasing it may contaminate the investigation.

Officer Stehlin also announced that the trio who had been shooting windows out of cars all over St. Louis city and county for a number of months have finally been apprehended.

On Wed. Dec 7^th from 8a to 10a, Chris’s Pancake and Dining (5980 Southwest Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139) will be hosting the next Coffee with a Cop event.

Next, he stressed that the most frequent crime in Ward 23 is petty larceny. He cautioned people against leaving their cars and garages unlocked, against leaving their vehicles unattended when they are warming them up in the morning, and when expecting packages to take steps to be present when deliveries occur or arranging for someone to pick up their packages. An unattended package or an unattended running car is an invitation for theft.

Then, he pointed out a concern the SLMPD has been having with the frequency of calls to commercial entities. These calls use valuable time and resources, and potentially delay responses to resident emergencies. To emphasis the point, he issued a handout that revealed 873 calls for service in 2016 to six Walgreens stores in and around our neighborhood. The Walgreens at 3920 Hampton carried the bulk of the calls with 352. Not all of these were superfluous, but enough were that the Police Department is trying to leverage Walgreens to provide their own security.

In opening questions from the floor, an attendee asked about the new gun laws that are due to go into effect January 1. Officer Stehlin replied that he was genuinely concerned about the new gun laws, but the state is still trying to finalize what they will be. Until then, we can only stay tuned.

Officer Stehlin thanked everyone for the words of support and concern for Sergeant Lake who had been shot while on duty in the Lindenwood Park neighborhood.

Finally, he encouraged people to signup for his email alerts (send your request to vstehlin@slmpd.org) and also encouraged people to reach out to Captain Deeba at madeeba@slmpd.org with police-related questions or concerns.

Last, but not least -- 

Molly Pfeiffer, the manager of the SLPL Machacek Branch spoke briefly about two upcoming events:

On Thu. Dec 8^th from 6p to 8p, the SLPL Machacek Branch will have a telescope and members from the astronomers club on site (clear weather permitting)

On Wed, Dec 14^th from noon to 6pm, the SLPL Machacek Branch will also be hosting a holiday open house with light refreshments, and storytelling and crafts for kids.

Janet then closed the meeting at 15 minutes to 9pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Seth

Public Notice -- Circle K Public Hearing

Public Notice posted on the streetlight in front of 3282 Jamieson

The Board of Public Service will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 in Room 208 at 1:45 p.m., City Hall to consider the following:

Hearing No. 8190 - Circle K #1675 c/o Betty Watts, to occupy 3282 Jamieson as a gas station and convenience store (no liquor or cooking) pursuant to City of St. Louis Revised Code Section 26.100.030.

Richard T. Bradley, P.E.,
President, Board of Public Service

ATTEST:
Cherise D. Jones
Secretary, Board of Public Service

Source: City Journal v.99 issue 18, page 17.


Update (Aug 19): The hearing has been rescheduled and the updated public notice read as follows...

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that Board of Public Service
will consider the revocation of conditional use
Permit No. 119231, issued to Circle K #1675, c/o Betty
Watts, to occupy 3282 Jamieson as a gas station and
convenience store (no cooking or liquor), pursuant to City of
St. Louis Revised Code Section 26.100.060

A public hearing will be held on September 13, 2016
in Room 206, City Hall at 1:45pm

Jamieson and Fyler News: June 24, 2016

Excise closes Circle K liquor license application

Excise notified us this morning that the liquor application for Mac's Convenience Stores LLC, doing business as Circle K, located at 3282 Jamieson, has been closed out. Circle K had until June 13th to turn in petition signatures. As that lapsed, Excise issued a Delay Letter, notifying Circle K they had 10 days to respond or the application would be closed. This also went without response from Circle K.

Again, I thank all of our neighbors for being active one way or the other regarding this issue. Many neighbors have put a lot of their personal time and resources into this issue. Now that the liquor license application is off the table, there are still several matters to attend to such as:

• Circle K’s lack of compliance regarding their conditional use agreement, 
• Other Circle K ordinance violations, 
• What if anything can be done to help or work with Rich if Circle K doesn’t go through with the purchase of his property, and 
• What to do about the nearly chronic problems associated with Circle K’s business such as trash, loitering, light pollution, and traffic congestion. 

What's Next For JamiesonAndFyler.org?

Although the Circle K liquor license issue served as the catalyst for forming this site, there is an ongoing need to have a website and resource that serves the property owners, residents, and business occupants around Jamieson and Fyler. To that end, if you own, live, and/or work here, I'd like your feedback on what you currently see as your biggest challenge being here. Please either post in the comments section of this webpost, or if you want to remain private, email me at sethmd73@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Plastic Bottle Caps Needed for Girl Scout Buddy Bench Program

GSA Brownie Troop 233 is a member of the
Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri

Gateway Science Academy's 3rd Grade Brownie Troop 233 is currently collecting plastic caps and lids to put a 'Buddy Bench' in their playground.

A Buddy Bench provides a place for a student seeking a friend to sit, so others know to reach out and include them. They will be collecting through September a

They need lots of help to collect 400 pounds of plastic lids!

The Troop has reached out to Matt, owner of Vinnie's @ 3208 Ivanhoe and he has generously agreed to serve as a drop-off point for caps. Please take them there or you can contact Seth at sethmd73@gmail.com to schedule a pick-up. Currently we are planning pick-ups in mid-July and the end of September.

Thanks!

Best regards,
Seth