SHENANDOAH - Shenandoah Borough Council has approved the transfer of a liquor license from Minersville for a proposed convenience store at the east end of the borough.
The state Liquor Control Board must approve the 5-2 vote cast during Monday night's meeting before the license can be transferred.
The regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. was preceded by a hearing for residents to express opinions, especially those who live in the area of the former Uni-Mart and Stop-N-Go convenience stores at 425 E. Centre St.
The owner, Mukesh P. Karwat, has entered into an agreement to buy the restaurant liquor license, that was owned by the Lazy Dog Cafe Inc. of Minersville, now held in escrow by the PLCB, according to a letter to the borough from Karwat's attorney, J. Howard Langdon, Muncy. The license would be transferred to a limited liability corporation formed by Karwat called Moon 2 LLC, 48 Prince George St., Bloomsburg.
The letter states the store "will sell carry-out six-packs of beer and other authorized containers from a convenience store setting. He does not plan to have a bar or tavern-type business."
Langdon's letter states there will be seating to qualify as a restaurant, though the foods will be hot dogs, hamburgers and similar fare.
Ronald Beltz said the convenience store setting could be a problem when children and teens may stop to buy milk or food.
"I think that it would be too open to serve teenagers if it's all going to be served in the same area," Beltz said.
"It's going to be governed by the PLCB, which will strictly enforce each rule and regulation," borough solicitor Michael A. O'Pake said. "I'm sure the PLCB has taken those considerations into their thought process when they are going to issue this license."
Beltz brought up the addition of six-pack beer sales at the Shenandoah One-Stop Shop, noting that the store was required by the PLCB to partition part of the store for the beer sales apart from the rest of the convenience store in the downtown.
"Basically, that business is also under the auspices of the PLCB and the Uniform Construction Code, which dictated the construction and what was necessary within that building," borough Manager Joseph L. Palubinsky said. "This will be the same type of facility that would come over the same parameters."
"Is council going to check up this or does that fall under the PLCB?" Beltz asked.
"It will fall under the UCC," Palubinsky said.
Beltz asked about police coverage in the area, especially for traffic control in order to protect drivers and pedestrians going to the store.
"I think with the exception of the alcohol, it's going to be similar to when the Uni-Mart was there," Palubinsky said.
Resident John Kuchinsky said the PLCB keeps a regulatory eye on these businesses.
"The PLCB is really strict. If they go in and see a problem, they'll shut it down like that," said Kuchinsky, snapping his fingers.
"The focus is a convenience store where they can sell a six-pack to someone who may come in to buy some milk," Langdon said. "The focus is not going to be on-site drinking. We do have to meet some minimum requirements with the PLCB to have that license."
"One of the main concerns is loitering," council President Leo Pietkiewicz said.
"That (loitering) would only hurt my client's business," Langdon said. "You raise an excellent point. He doesn't want loitering either."
Audrey Geist commented on concerns for her parents, who live across the street.
"When the Uni-Mart was there, there was an awful lot of traffic, and at that point, alcohol was not at fault," said Geist, who also expressed concern for children in the area. She also asked about the store hours, which are planned to be 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
"He (Karwat) said he does not plan to have hours beyond those he said, but going forward, will those hours increase to later hours in the night, which could interfere with the neighborhood with people sleeping and working?" Geist asked.
"We don't plan to be open later than 10," Karwat said.
The last person from the public to speak was Raymond Stasulli, director of operations at the Ateeco Inc. pierogie plant, located about a block away. He asked about traffic safety, especially along Bridge Street, which is one access point to the processing plant for deliveries and shipments, along with employee ingress and egress.
"We want to be sure that there is adequate traffic control to allow our associates ready access coming and going to work," Stasulli said. "We have well over 150 people who work across three shifts and travel along that road."
During the regular meeting, a resolution to allow the restaurant liquor license was motioned by Robert Shortt, seconded by Raymond Nestor. Voting in favor of the license transfer were Nestor, Shortt, Pietkiewicz, Paul Holland and Brian Conroy. Voting against were Rosanne Mychak and Robert Kulpowicz.
The license transfer is subject to approval by the PLCB.