Home > Blogs > Joshua Jarvis > Atlanta Real Estate Blog - Joshua Jarvis

Would the Presence of Liquor store in a community affect your opinion of that community?

By Joshua Jarvis

Real Estate Agent with Virtual Properties - Atlanta Real Estate 255736

August 02, 2007 02:57 AM

There is a petition going around in the City of Dacula, GA that is trying to permit a liquor store. Here's the actual post on a forum from the Mayor of Dacula:

"You may be aware that there is a private initiative to bring liquor stores to Dacula by way of forcing the City Council to call a referendum for such purposes, and you may have seen an informational piece posted near your mail box about this. This is not an initiative of the Mayor and City Council.

If a verified 35% of the registered voters in Dacula sign the petition, the City Council is required, under state law, to call a referendum concerning package sales of distilled spirits. If a majority of voters in the referendum approve, the City Council will have to amend our alcohol ordinance to allow package sales in the City."

What's interesting is that the online voting is about 50/50 but the people posting on the forum have really failed to articulate why they oppose a liquor store. All of the political and news regurtitation aside, I have my reasons for opposing one, and that has to do with property values. Then again, some of the nicest areas in Georgia have liquor stores.

The pros are much easier to express in terms of free enterprise and capital raised, but what about the negatives. I think there are some strong negatives, and I think they are more subtle than anyone realizes.

Am I off-base?

Do you think the presence of a liquor store affects your opinion of a community? Would its presence affect your decision to purchase or not to purchase in a given area?

Comments(18)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Rebecca Savitski

BSR Real Estate Group - Cary, NC

NC Real Estate Listings

This is an old topic in the south in nc there are still several dry counties all this means is that residents have to drive alittle further for liquor, and give the tax dollars to another community.

Aug 02, 2007 03:02 AM

Bill Gillhespy

16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL

Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Joshua, if you really want the question answered as stated my vote would be that availability of a liquor is a definite plus. That is, I would want one in the general vicinity although I can't remember the last time I was in one. But, yes, a plus. The general wording almost seems to hint at this being a subtle attempt to enforce a conservative agenda of which the liquor store is but one element.

You feel there are strong negatives and that they are more difficult to express. Why would that be ?

Aug 02, 2007 03:14 AM

Mark Pilatowski

myClosingSPACE - Manhattan, NY

Yeah, I would prefer that community over one that did not have a liquor store :>). Like Rebecca mentioned, not having a liquor store does not mean people in that town won't drink, it just means they will go somewhere else to purchase their beverage of choice. Not only does this effect the town's income from additional tax proceeds you may also create a situation where residents go outside of town to drink and therefore are may be more likely to drink and drive.

I would like to hear some of the reasons against having a liquor store myself.

Aug 02, 2007 03:19 AM

Pam Hofmann

Third Tennessee Realty & Associates, LLC - Crossville, TN

Your Crossville, Lake Tansi & Fairfield Glade Specialist

Joshua, If a community does NOT have a liquor store that is a drawback. I live in such a community and we

have to drive 30 minutes to purchase. People coming form other parts of the country are horrified that they can't buy wine or liquor. Wise up people...this 2007!!

Aug 02, 2007 03:26 AM

David A. Podgursky PA

THE PODGURSKY GROUP @ Re/Max Direct - Boynton Beach, FL

THE PODGURSKY GROUP - Make the Right Move!

I will say this...

West Boca Raton has only 2-3 liquor stores... West Boynton Beach has 1...

I think that some people in planning and zoning and community development feel that they do have a negative impact

Aug 02, 2007 04:02 AM

Lane Bailey

Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA

Realtor & Car Guy

I don't see an issue with liquor stores... but there is an issue with some of the businesses. There is a nice store here in Smokerise. Attractive exterior, good product, and friendly, knowledgeable staff. On my visits (about once a year) they always seem to be able to help me find what I am looking for. There is another store, that is a little closer. Crappy exterior, limited selection, and it looks like they are just waiting for the next robbery attempt. They aren't good for the property values.

Aug 02, 2007 04:20 AM

Joshua Jarvis

Virtual Properties - Atlanta Real Estate - Duluth, GA

Moving Families Forward.

Bill: If you're referring to the post, then you're sadly mistaken. If you are referring to the quote from the Mayor, then I won't deny that he has some strong conservative ties. Dacula is known as a Family community and although the media likes to paint that as evangelical or conservative, I think you'd find quite a diverse population there. That's evidenced by the online vote being split.

Mark: The reasons posted by the community would be easier accees to alchohol by minors. More drunk driving opportunities within the city. Loitering and a potential increase in gang related activity. My reasons are purely from a perceived value that this community has as a small FAMILY FIRST town.

I'd say the concern is that as soon as you allow one in, you can't control the owners or at least how the run the store. There ARE nice liquor stores out there, but you never know when one will go downhill.

Aug 02, 2007 05:04 AM

Armando Rodriguez

QUEST REALTY SERVICES - Orlando, FL

Orlando Homes 4 Sale, Real Estate Broker-GRI

My observations when I lived in New York City, were that there was a liquor store on every other block in the rougher areas of town. Not so in the better areas.

But I always wondered why the City would issue permits to so many liquor stores within a small radius?

Aug 02, 2007 05:13 AM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Hey, if they carry great wine, I'd consider it to be a good neighbor

Aug 02, 2007 06:41 AM

Angel Walker

Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners - Johns Creek, GA

The presence or lack of a liquor store wouldn't have any affect on my opinion of a community. I don't see the connection between having a liquor store and not being family friendly.

Aug 02, 2007 09:47 AM

Alexander Harb

Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX

Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

I would say that it is not drinking that causes trouble, but people who are DRUNK that cause trouble.......

The bible does not condemn drinking....Jesus even drank wine.....

The bible condemns getting DRUNK.......which is far different than just drinking......There are numerous verses in proverbs pertaining to being drunk....and they are all unflattering about the subject.....

People have to be self controlled about their drinking beer or wine...... THAT is the problem.... not selling the wine or beer.

BTW -- I do NOT drink...when I was 19 I found the practice to be much more trouble than it was worth..... if I drink, I drink non-alcoholic beer or non-alcoholic wine....and a bottle of non-alcoholic wine is VERY good!

The taste of the wine, the aroma and the feel of the wine on your palete is perfect while on a date with a special person or celebrating an event or holiday with family or friends. Non-alcoholic wine will NOT get you drunk, and the better wines are fantastic!!

I get my wines at the grocery store....NOT a liquor store....

=-)

Aug 02, 2007 01:22 PM

Paul Moye

Benchmark Realty - Franklin, TN

Broker, GRI, SRES

It isn't as much the product but the manner in which the product is delivered. See we have a huge liquor store in the shopping center with the neighborhood grocery, subway, dry cleaners etc. This store fits into the shopping center and provides a servcie in a well amitained and clean atmosphere....it is a plus to our community because of the manner they run the business.

Aug 02, 2007 02:03 PM

Joshua Jarvis

Virtual Properties - Atlanta Real Estate - Duluth, GA

Moving Families Forward.

I see a lot of posts about wine. If you like wine, you certainly wouldn't be buying it in a liquor store in Georgia. They carry wine (as do the grocery stores) but the selection is anything but what an actual conniseur would want.

Paul,

I think if it was integrated in the right way it would definitely be a plus. Most of the integrated liquor stores in our county are next to pawn shops and have bars over the windows. Not an asset.

Aug 05, 2007 11:34 PM

Anonymous

Tara

I find this subject to be quite stupid to say it in less educated terms. I have recently been looking into opening a fine wine and liquor store in Loganville. Oh my goodness!!! Ok, lets think about this. It's alright to go out to a bar, drink, and then drive home. But it's NOT alright to go buy the liquor, bring it home, and not have to drive after been drinking??? This state kills me!

I've worked in sports bars for the last 13 years and I can give you these facts.

It's easier for minors to be served in a restaurant where it's busy and they can possibly get by on the server or bartender that is quickly checking i.d's. Rather then the liquor retail store that is not in a rush and can make sure the i.d is correct.

When you drink at a bar, guess what? You still have to get home! MOST people that go to a bar to drink also end up driving home. Yes, I said MOST! If you purchase your liquor at a retail store and bring it home, guess what? Your already home! No driving! My children are safe from that person that decided to have his drink at home and not go on the roads.

In my case, I don't see me opening up my retail spirits package store an invite to gangs and homeless to come on down to Loganville Georgia and hang out infront of my store.

You can go out and drink liquor, but oh no, don't allow them to be able to purchase it at a retailer near them. They will still get it, they will just go outside city limits and like it was already said, give there tax dollars to another city.

Did I say this state kills me yet?

Nov 28, 2007 12:30 PM

#15

Joshua Jarvis

Virtual Properties - Atlanta Real Estate - Duluth, GA

Moving Families Forward.

Tara - Thanks for your comments. I think it's understood that liquor stores in general don't go and round up gangs, homeless or just miscreants. It's just like field of dreams, you build and they will come. I can go either way with the issue. I'm guessing from your viewpoint that you'd rather see people walking on the side of the rode with paperbags, then passing a teenager wrapped around a tree on the way home.

Nov 29, 2007 10:39 PM

Anonymous

larry lo

Hey, I drink, drink, drink, drink and dont drive or cause trouble, but I'm tired of driving 20-30 minutes to get alcohol. Just because we drink does not mean we would cause trouble, or make the neighborhood bad. I mean, you drive for it anyway, so what is the difference that a package store would bring down a community? If that was the case neighborhoods would have been torn down or crime rate increased because the alcoholics already live there.

Jul 29, 2008 03:21 AM

#17

cyndi hall

Dacula, GA

Well I buy a small bottle of vodka every Friday for weekend cookout and guests. I have to drive all the way out to Flowery Branch to get it. I go ahead and do all my shopping while I'm there. I go to Publix, then Target and sometimes stop to eat while I'm out. So if we had a liquor store here, not only would i spend my money here in Dacula, but others would come from buford and the like and spend their money here also. I am a boring middle-class housewife who ends up doing all her weekend shopping somewhere else because they have a liquor store. I'm not going to waist my gas driving all over town.

Sep 17, 2012 12:42 AM