Tesoro Liquor License Request Causes Controversy

Neighbors say they don't need another liquor store in their area

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By Lacie Grosvold

Story Created: Oct 9, 2012 at 6:23 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Oct 10, 2012 at 8:33 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Could a new liquor license be a public safety issue? Businesses neighboring the Tesoro near the intersection of A street and Northern Lights say it is.

Alaska Fitness Owner Jim White thinks a liquor store right next door would be a draw for chronic drinkers
"I think it's a moral issue... within 320 yards of this front door, we have two liquor outlets, being, you know, Carrs, Wal-Mart, and seven restaurants. There's alcohol to be had."

It's a similar story nearby at Arctic Office Products, where employees remember a time when the neighborhood wasn't as nice. Mari Wood said, "We had street inebriate climbing in the cars of employees, we had them coming in here... we actually had them urinating on the floor."

Wood said there was a liquor store was in the spot the Tesoro stands now. That store shut down. The Tesoro went up. Now they're asking the city for a permit to sell booze.

Neighbors started a petition to prevent that from happening. It's sitting in their stores and businesses. Employees and patrons have added their names to the list.

Tesoro didn't respond to KTVA's requests for interviews.

According to neighbors the liquor application may limit the sale of cheap products to dissuade some customers, but they fear it's not enough.

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