SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — A convenience store a half a block from the Bishop Dudley House in Sioux Falls is causing some controversy.
Police say they’ve frequently gotten complaints about intoxicated people at the Walia convenience store on East 10th Street, prompting the council to consider revoking the store’s license. The issue first came up during the council’s November 18 meeting, but was deferred to Tuesday.
After discussion, the issue was deferred again on Tuesday night by a 5-3 council vote. The council will make its final decision on December 17.
The store says it’ll be hiring extra security and pulling certain kinds of cheap liquor from its shelves. But the son-in-law of the store’s owner, Michael Alemu, says the problem goes beyond them.
“An addict will seek their fix regardless of where it is,” Alemu said. “They will walk miles for it.”
“We have never sold alcohol to be consumed on our premises,” Alemu said. “We have never sold to minors. We have never had violations of our liquor license.”
Councilor Greg Neitzert said the store’s owners haven’t been doing enough to keep the situation under control.
“I personally have seen documentation that shows me that this applicant has been aware of problems and has been unwilling to address them,” Neitzert said. “I’m not interested in deferring this.”
Several from the public turned out to voice their opinions on the issue, though public comment was closed once the motion was deferred.
Councilor Christine Erickson said she wished the city could allow the store to keep selling alcohol for 90 days to prevent the store’s improvement plan from being merely a “gentlemen’s agreement.”
“What tools do we have? We have a yes or a no,” Erickson said. “It’s really too bad.”
