Liquor applications denied at discount stores in Louisville's west, south end after community voices disproval

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The city of Louisville denied applications for liquor sales at discount stores in the south and west end after community members voiced their disproval.

Elected officials and community supporters stood against liquor being sold around their neighborhoods.

Richard Meadows lives in the Portland neighborhood, and was one of them.

"We're the only neighborhood with a flag," Meadows said.

When Meadows heard Family Dollar filed an application to sell liquor, he knew he had to do something.

"It's the sales of hard alcohol out the door that is a problem already in this neighborhood, and we don't need any more places for it," he said.

Louisville's Alcohol Beverage Control denied malt beverage license applications for 13 Family Dollar locations across south and west Louisville, citing legal and administrative reasons. Crime and other community issues, like financial impact and proximity to other liquor stores, also contributed to the denial.

The city said the store at 3277 Taylor Boulevard had 500 incident reports filed with Louisville Metro Police since the beginning of last year. The one at 3022 Portland Avenue had more than 350.

The Portland Avenue store is the one Meadows goes to. He said he wasn't shocked by that number.

"I'm well aware that there are numbers of incidents involving alcohol where police make runs because of it, so no I'm not surprised," Meadows said.

Last month, councilmembers Donna Purvis, D-5, and Tammy Hawkins, D-1, called on their communities to write letters in opposition.

"We're sick and tired of seeing too many liquor stores in addition to the impact it has on the vision of people it appears that the sale of liquor leads to despair," Purvis said. "We don't see anything healthy coming out of the sale of liquor."

Meadows didn't know anyone who was in favor of the sale of liquor at the stores.

"Basically the whole neighborhood was against it, we don't need it," he said.

Council and community members alike are hoping this denial will encourage others businesses like grocery stores to locate there.

In a statement to WDRB News, Family Dollar said "We remain committed to following Kentucky law and to serving the Louisville community with the products, service and convenience they know and expect from Family Dollar."

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Liquor applications denied at discount stores in Louisville's west, south end after community voices disproval