Amador County - Despite objections from surrounding business owners, the Jackson Planning Commission saw few reasons Tuesday not to approve an application by owners of the Bottle Shop liquor store to relocate to the former location of the Kitchen Store on North Main Street. Nevertheless, the commission voted to table their approval until they can further investigate “visibility aspects” and gather comments from vacationing commissioner Kathryn Devlin. Some North Main Street merchants have voiced protests against the proposed move since word spread that Bottle Shop co-owner Gurdev Ghuane requested a Conditional Use Permit in February to move his business from its current location further downtown. Co-owner Max Ghuane said his family is trying to find a better location for their business with “more exposure.” He said the store will expand to sell more products like souvenirs, fishing bait and additional candy and food products. Most comments against the move echoed concerns that the Bottle Shop will attract and display loiterers who already give the struggling downtown a bad reputation. Hein & Company bookstore owner Wolf Hein said he is a regular victim of vandalism. “I have concerns about this becoming a hangout,” he said. Sharon Merzlak of Merzlak Signs questioned whether it is wise to open up a liquor store on what she considers to be a main thoroughfare for school children on their way to and from Jackson Elementary and Jackson Junior High. Kitchen Store co-owner Janie Williams said that while she loves the Bottle Shop, she believes the “poor electrical” in the historic building will not support heavy demands like consistent refrigeration. She also said there is a propensity for accidents at the 3-way intersection and the planter boxes in front of the store were run into no less than 15 times during her time there. Her son Travis Williams said in the last six years he has seen “two people watch other people get hit by cars.” Jackson lawyer Robert Schell supported the move. He referred to unwanted loiterers by saying “roaches are afraid of the light” and “more visibility will result in less negative impact.” He said the “real problem with downtown is…there is nothing going on and there are not a lot of people.” Jackson Police Chief Scott Morrison also spoke in support of the business, saying he has responded to 51 calls to the area of the Bottle Shop over the last ten years and none of those have been felony related. He said his daughter was accosted in the area of the Bottle Shop, but he doesn’t believe it was related in any way to the business. He said “whichever way the commission decides, I want to work with them to make any venue as safe as possible.” Chairman Leticia Sexton said she would approve of the move with some minor amendments. “As a regional business, they have every right to move and better their business,” she said. Butow said he is concerned that there is no crosswalk across North Main Street to the location. He also pointed out that the restaurant across the street, soon to reopen as Agave Mexican Dining, will also have a liquor license. The matter will be discussed further at the next Jackson Planning Commission meeting on March 15th. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
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Amador County - Despite objections from surrounding business owners, the Jackson Planning Commission saw few reasons Tuesday not to approve an application by owners of the Bottle Shop liquor store to relocate to the former location of the Kitchen Store on North Main Street. Nevertheless, the commission voted to table their approval until they can further investigate “visibility aspects” and gather comments from vacationing commissioner Kathryn Devlin. Some North Main Street merchants have voiced protests against the proposed move since word spread that Bottle Shop co-owner Gurdev Ghuane requested a Conditional Use Permit in February to move his business from its current location further downtown. Co-owner Max Ghuane said his family is trying to find a better location for their business with “more exposure.” He said the store will expand to sell more products like souvenirs, fishing bait and additional candy and food products. Most comments against the move echoed concerns that the Bottle Shop will attract and display loiterers who already give the struggling downtown a bad reputation. Hein & Company bookstore owner Wolf Hein said he is a regular victim of vandalism. “I have concerns about this becoming a hangout,” he said. Sharon Merzlak of Merzlak Signs questioned whether it is wise to open up a liquor store on what she considers to be a main thoroughfare for school children on their way to and from Jackson Elementary and Jackson Junior High. Kitchen Store co-owner Janie Williams said that while she loves the Bottle Shop, she believes the “poor electrical” in the historic building will not support heavy demands like consistent refrigeration. She also said there is a propensity for accidents at the 3-way intersection and the planter boxes in front of the store were run into no less than 15 times during her time there. Her son Travis Williams said in the last six years he has seen “two people watch other people get hit by cars.” Jackson lawyer Robert Schell supported the move. He referred to unwanted loiterers by saying “roaches are afraid of the light” and “more visibility will result in less negative impact.” He said the “real problem with downtown is…there is nothing going on and there are not a lot of people.” Jackson Police Chief Scott Morrison also spoke in support of the business, saying he has responded to 51 calls to the area of the Bottle Shop over the last ten years and none of those have been felony related. He said his daughter was accosted in the area of the Bottle Shop, but he doesn’t believe it was related in any way to the business. He said “whichever way the commission decides, I want to work with them to make any venue as safe as possible.” Chairman Leticia Sexton said she would approve of the move with some minor amendments. “As a regional business, they have every right to move and better their business,” she said. Butow said he is concerned that there is no crosswalk across North Main Street to the location. He also pointed out that the restaurant across the street, soon to reopen as Agave Mexican Dining, will also have a liquor license. The matter will be discussed further at the next Jackson Planning Commission meeting on March 15th. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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