Council to Reconsider Thrifty Liquor Permit

Thrifty-Payless will get a second chance today to convince the City Council that it should be allowed to sell hard liquor at its 16141 Harbor Blvd. drugstore.

Though the company already sells beer and wine, a divided council denied a permit request in July after a state Alcohol and Beverage Control report labeled the neighborhood surrounding the store “over-saturated” with liquor licenses.

The city planning commission had recommended against giving the store a liquor license.

Councilman John J. Collins, who joined the majority in denying the request, said last week that Thrifty-Payless was unable to show that it could meet two criteria for alcohol sales: convenience and necessity.

But since then, Collins said, it has come to the council’s attention that the only places to buy spirits near Thrifty are liquor stores, where some residents may feel uncomfortable. The drugstore is brightly lighted and more pleasant for many constituents, he said.

“The big picture here is that a variety store, like Thrifty, is a nicer atmosphere for people to buy their liquor,” Collins said.