Coronado's Most Read Newspaper & Community Website

Walgreens Liquor License Application on City Council Agenda Today - Public Invited

In December, Walgreens applied for an "off sale general" liquor license that, according to the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), would allow them to sell "all types of alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premises in original sealed containers." Many Walgreens already sell alcohol in their stores, however, the 925 Orange Avenue location would be adding another option to purchase alcohol in close proximity to these other businesses that sell alcohol:

Avenue Liquor & Wine (878 Orange Avenue)
Coronado Bottle Shop (933 Orange Avenue)
Vons (868 Orange Avenue)
WineStyles (928 Orange Avenue)

Nathan Hiedo is the owner of both Avenue Liquor & the Coronado Bottle Shop and commented, "I'm concerned that granting Walgreens this liquor license will add more competition to the other businesses that sell alcohol in Coronado - it's just not needed."

eCoronado.com contacted Walgreens for comment, but they did not respond.

City Council meets today at 3pm at 1825 Strand Avenue. The last item on the agenda is related to this issue (see the entire agenda):

Consideration of Request from Councilwoman Denny to have Public Input, Discussion, Deliberation and a Vote of the Full City Council on Whether to Write a Formal Letter of Protest to the ABC Regarding the Liquor License Application by Coronado Walgreens Store.

Additional information from the City Manager's Office:

Coronado City Councilwoman Barbara Denny has requested that the City Council consider taking a position on an off-sale liquor license proposed by Walgreens that is pending before the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. To clarify, the City of Coronado is not responsible for issuing liquor licenses. Pursuant to City Council rules adopted in October 2011, the City Council may decide whether it wants to place the item on a future agenda for action. If the City Council decides to consider the matter, the item may be included on the February 19 agenda. The public is invited to attend today’s Council meeting.

If you have feedback about this matter, please attend the meeting today or leave a comment below.

Tags: business, community

0 members like this

Staff Comment by Kellee Hearther on February 5, 2013 at 8:28am: Do we really need another place selling alcohol?? I say NO. There are enough places to purchase, for those who are of age. I don't want or need another place to purchase this kind of product. I hope the community agrees with me.

Comment by Sarah on February 5, 2013 at 9:22am: Coronado has numerous bars that sell liquor thoughout the day, many little store and grocery stored that sell liquor for those making a quick stop. I see no need for the drug store to also sell liquor. Infact, there is a Vons across the street that sells and several restaurants within 150 yards that providers liquor with meals. I say, "no.

Comment by Rob Steiner on February 5, 2013 at 10:50am: Not another place to sell alcohol in Coronado. We have some great, old, funky liquor stores that do that job just fine. Let's let them keep that part of the commerce game in Coronado and not let a faceless corporate drugstore chain eat up their business...

Comment by Peter L. Fagan on February 5, 2013 at 11:12am: Walgreens is primarily noted as a pharmacy. Considering that military dependents and retirees cannot have their prescriptions filled there (every other pharmacy, past and present honor TRICARE, the military carrier), they have failed to serve a key segment of our community on their primary product. So, this leaves their primary product alcohol. There are too many such outlets already in our community. NO on the license.

Comment (keep it clean & on topic)