SEAL BEACH : Moving Liquor Store Across Street Isn’t Easy

After 15 years in the same location, liquor store owner John Baker is trying to persuade city officials to let him move his business across the street.

To Baker, it seems like a simple request.

But the city has balked, citing concerns about the potential proliferation of liquor stores on Main Street. Planning commissioners delayed a decision on Baker’s request at a previous meeting and will reconsider his move Wednesday night.

“This should have been a piece of cake,” said Baker, owner of Nip ‘N Stuff liquor at 322 Main St. “It’s not like I’ve committed a major crime.”

But some Planning Commission members say once Baker moves, a new liquor store could open at the old site under the old conditional use permit.

“Seal Beach is already an over-served area as defined by the ABC,” state Alcoholic Beverage Control, Planning Commissioner Dr. Brian Brown said. “Somebody else could come in and open up a liquor store there. We wouldn’t want that.”

Baker’s landlord, who evicted him to open a business at the location, has pledged not to sell alcohol at the site.

At the heart of the issue is the longstanding battle in the city by some to limit alcohol sales and operating hours of beach area businesses.

“When it has anything to do with liquor, (planning commissioners) get real nit-picky,” said commission member Jim Sharp. “The new landlord said he will sign a pledge to have no liquor--there shouldn’t be any real problems with this.”

On Jan. 1, Baker must begin paying rent on his new location, and he fears that further delays will prove hazardous to his business. “If I can’t move, then I have no choice,” Baker said, “I’m going to go out of business.”