Michael DeFilippo, whose approved application for a package store on the West Side was reversed by a state judge, responds to assertions by Rich Augustynowicz, owner of Discount Wines & Liquors of Bridgeport on Wood Avenue, that if the 1,500 foot rule between liquor stores is reduced to 750 Bridgeport will become “Harlem in the 1960s.” Statement from DeFilippo that was also sent to City Council members:
The purpose of this email is to respond to an email sent to you by Rich Augustynowicz, the owner of Discount Wines and Liquors of Bridgeport d/b/a Bev-Max and to accurately inform you of the application filed by my attorney seeking to amend the current zoning regulations. This amended regulation does not seek to abolish the requirement that there be 1,500 feet between Bridgeport package stores. The requirement of having Bridgeport package stores located more than 1,500 feet from each other will remain in effect.
What the amendment does do is to require 750 feet between Bridgeport package stores and Bridgeport schools, houses of worship, commercial day care centers or hospitals. It also clarifies the longstanding position of the zoning office that grocery/beer permits are not subject to the 1,500 foot rule.
The proposed 750 foot distance between Bridgeport package stores and schools, houses of worship, commercial day care centers and hospitals is more than sufficient distance to protect the health and safety of Bridgeport residents although I believe there is absolutely no danger associated with a retail package store selling to adults where no alcohol is consumed on the premises.
I would further point out that in Stratford, Monroe, Trumbull, Fairfield, and Stamford, there are no distance requirements between package stores and schools, houses of worship, commercial day care centers or hospitals. In New Haven a package store may not be located within 500 feet of a school. In Milford a package store may not be located within 300 feet of a school, house of worship, or hospital. In Hartford a package store may not be located within 200 feet of a school, library, hospital, church, charitable institution or funeral home. There has been no adverse effect on neighborhoods in any of the above municipalities as a result of their zoning regulations.
Mr. Augustynowicz’s only real concern is competition and his pocketbook. While competition is frowned upon by businessmen, it always benefits consumers.
Mr. Augustynowicz claims that there will be “a liquor store on every other block in Bridgeport.” This is totally false as the amendment does not affect the 1,500 feet distance rule between package stores. Also, the State of Connecticut, Department of Consumer Protection, Liquor Control Commission regulates the number of package store in all municipalities.
One final comment: Mr. Augustynowicz is quoted in the Only in Bridgeport blog that if the amendment is passed Bridgeport will become “Harlem in the 1960s.” This smacks of racism and reflects even more poorly on the author.
Write On!!!
I am not sure, but if a liquor store is too close to another that would put him out of business, why support it? What’s the point? We really should even care about a liquor store? Restaurants benefit from the synergy and competition of other different restaurants. Three Chinese restaurants on three corners is not good. Different restaurants in close proximity is good! If opening a like business is going to put another out of business, this is not a good thing! The “Harlem” remark in the ’60s comment should have no bearing on the facts at all!
I hardly think referring to something that happened and in his opinion might happen here is “racist” just because it happened in Harlem or another now-predominately black community. He said “Harlem, and the knee-jerk reaction is “racist” WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED.
In the ’60s, there was a mass exodus of people from Harlem who wanted better schools, better housing and safer neighborhoods, leaving behind those who couldn’t afford or chose not to move.
And guess what? It’s happening here. If someone wants to call people “racist” because they think these events will cause people to leave, then I’m not interested in their opinion on anything, because in my opinion they are IDIOTS.
If you think he’s wrong and these events WILL NOT cause more people to leave, that’s your opinion, you’re entitled to it, and I’m interested in your reasoning.
In my opinion, these events are not going to trigger a mass exodus because people have their own individual tolerances, but they do just add to the increased pressure to GET THE HELL OUT OF DODGE.
Why do I get the feeling eventually the assistant mayor Mario will see to it this liquor store opens?
Are you kidding me with that asinine explanation of that bigoted statement attributed to Mr.Augustynowicz? What in hell does a mass exodus from Harlem by blacks have to do with a proliferation of liquor stores? Are you saying when blacks left Harlem, liquor stores replaced them? Are you saying because of this mass exodus of blacks, Harlem was left with a proliferation of liquor stores that destroyed the community?
You mofos think you can say anything without the benefit of proof, just because it serves your point of view. The fact is the real estate in Harlem had appreciated by 1000% since the middle ’90s because white people have finally realized Harlem is indeed in Manhattan and they can’t afford to live downtown like they can uptown. If we’re following the same example as Harlem then Bridgeport will ultimately become a better place to live and the real estate values will skyrocket.
*** What in hell does this guy know about Harlem in the ’60s anyway? ***
*** Could this be the guy who’s buying and then wanting to expand the two stores, West End Package store and Ernie’s Deli that have been serving the West End community like the P.T. Barnum Apts, Evergreen Apts, Twin Towers Apts and everyone else and local businesses on the West End before you get to the Black Rock section of Bpt for about 50 years now! ***
Is this cool that we want more liquor stores but go way out of our way to prevent a medical marijuana facility holistic health center and adaptive reuse of older buildings? It’s not too cool a city and how can we attract young professionals who will help the economy grow in this area with such thinking? No walkable communities, bike paths etc. Things Boston has as in GE wants to relocate there because a lot of young people are settling there. Get it?
What an asinine comment from Bob Halstead. Are you inferring Jeff Immelt has an addiction to marijuana and that is why he is moving GE HQ to Boston?
Come on, Bob. You are better than that.