LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Residents in the St. Denis neighborhood are calling for fewer liquor stores and more community-focused resources as they push back against a business seeking a liquor license.
WAVE spoke with a local pastor who said there are already at least seven businesses within a mile of his church that sell beer, wine or liquor.
Now that another business has applied for a license, he believes it’s excessive.
“My question is, ‘why are we opening up another liquor establishment before we put positive things in the community?’ and I think that’s a valid question,” said Adam Carter Sr., senior pastor at More Than Conquerors Christian Church on Cane Run Road.
Located about 100 feet from the church is Premier Cuban Food, a grocery store that recently applied for a liquor license. Carter said he learned about the application last month.
“This area is also saturated with daycares and elementary schools, middle schools, and there’s even a couple high schools. So, once again, to add another liquor establishment is not what this area needs at this time,” Carter said.
In response, Carter organized community meetings and launched a petition opposing the license, gathering hundreds of signatures.
He noted that while many residents are against the proposal, others were unaware the business had even applied.
Antonio Payne, a resident of more than 35 years, said this situation is not new.
“Probably about every three to five years, there are some residents that purchase that property, or lease that property,” Payne said. “They try to slide the ways of getting the liquor license without the neighborhood knowing about it.”
When WAVE visited Premier Cuban Food on Thursday, employees declined to comment but said any alcohol sales would operate separately from the grocery business if approved.
The director of Metro ABC confirmed the application is currently under review.
Carter said he has submitted the petition to Frankfort and will continue monitoring the process, expressing hope for positive change in the neighborhood.
“In the past 15, 20 years, we’ve definitely seen a negative decline in this area,” he said.
It remains unclear when a decision will be made at the metro level. Once the application reaches the state level, officials must respond within 45 days.
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