HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 05-12 City to retain liquor policy THE REVIEW ' iCit tore liquor policy
by Scott Carlson responsibility.It has been felt that this community of Maplewood,"Miller said. Northern States, indicated that if the
Multiple ownerships of liquor licenses type of an arrangement discourages the He said that it would allow regional motel council continued its policy it might be
will continue to be prohibited in entrance of organized crime elements and restaurant operations to locate in difficult to find legitimate enterprises
Maplewood,the city council has decided. into local liquor establishments." Maplewood. which could afford the capitol expenses
The council reaffirmed its policy at its And for that reason the Maplewood But councilman John Greavu saw no and investment of owning the liquor
April 22 meeting after representatives Police Department was recommending need for changing the policy."As long as I license at a place like Donny's.
from Northern States Enterprises, Inc. the continuation of the current policy. sit here I'm not going to get into a "Everybody wants to be in the nightclub
asked the council to reconsider the policy. But Miller pointed out, "The present situation like St.Paul and Minneapolis," business but nobody has the cash
Roy Miller, president of Northern policy does not'guarantee'that persons Greavu said."It gets to the point where capitalization to make sure they are an
States Enterprises,Inc.told the council involved in other liquor licenses will not the people who own the liquor licenses ongoing operation,"Seltz said.
that the corporation intends to bring a become involved in Maplewood own the city."
Nino's Steak House to the location for- operations. - Wiegert admitted it would be better to
merly occupied by Donny's Supper Club "It would take much more staff and Miller contended. that "this kind of see the building at Donny's old location
on White Bear and Cope avenues. resources to be reasonably sure that this policy wouldn't cause that kind of thing." occupied.But he added,"We've had just
But under the council's current policy could not happen," Miller continued. Councilman Donald Wiegert was minor problems.We want to keep it that
the liquor transfer could not be made "The existing policy will discourage amenable to a change so long as it was way."
because Northern States Enterprises legitimate restaurant and motel interests "worded so tightly that we are not doing Roy Miller later raised questions and
have interests in other liquor licenses, from locating within Maplewood unless what we don't want to do." concerns about who would retain the
even though they are in other corn- licenses are taken out in an individual's Councilman Burton Murdock declared, liquor license and why the restaurant
munities. name (such as the manager of the "I'm not in favor of discouraging chains manager might bean individual divorced
City Manager Michael Miller said,"I operation) from coming in.But these people can set .from any financial interest in the com-
believe this question is going to be raised Miller recommended that the policy be up any type of corporation system that pany.As it turned out the council and the
more and more." changed to allow for the issuance of on- they want and allocate that individual Northern States representatives had a
In his prepared remarks, Miller sale liquor licenses where the owner has holding that license. misunderstanding of who would have to
acknowledged that the current policy is no other interest in Maplewood in a "It is awful easy to say we want to see be in charge on the premises.
meant to"encourage local independent Maplewood on-sale license. you sir if he has the license,"Murdock It appeared that the Northern States
ownership of such establishments on the "This would be easier to check and noted. "Whereas a national chain,how Enterprises would be agreeable to
premise that such ownership is easier to regulate and would limit any impact that are you going to get in touch with them?" designating the manager as the holder of
control through the pinpointing of an outside influence could have on the Douglas Seltz, attorney representing the liquor license.