The Wrightway Market across from the downtown bus station failed Wednesday in its appeal to have its previously revoked license restored to sell packaged alcohol.
In a summary email, the City of Reno wrote: “City staff originally determined that the mentioned alcohol sales are not compatible with the nearby transit station and the adjacent substance abuse facility. The administrator argued the sale of package beer and wine at this location has had a negative impact on public health and safety.”
The operators of Wrightway Market said they are facing “hard times” due to the City’s decision to revoke its license initially based on “false data,” by making the corner store a landmark for police calls in the area.
They said they were losing $30,000 a month since not having the privileged license renewed.
They showed several videos of police and ambulances coming by the store in matters unrelated to their clients, but said these calls were repeatedly marked as related to Wrightway Market activities.
Councilwoman Jenny Brekhus disputed how city staff approached their analysis to deny the application, calling it a “continued story of targeting.”
Councilwoman Meghan Ebert also wasn’t convinced city staff were being fair in their assessment.
“It’s important we help businesses,” Ebert said, with vacant buildings all around the corner store. “I’m concerned about creating food deserts downtown as they do sell other items, groceries, things like that. If they were to go out of business, I’m not sure where people would go buy groceries.”
“Bad people are still there,” Opinder Dhillon said despite his liquor license having not been renewed previously. “Please, please, give me six months. I’ll come back and if you see any problem, [as] it’s a privileged license, take it away.”
Ebert and Brekhus agreed but a majority of the council didn’t.