Warren City Council votes to deny liquor license for Convenient Food Mart

Warren City Council has unanimously voted to deny the renewal of a liquor license for Convenient Food Mart, a store that has faced mounting scrutiny following a homicide outside the business earlier this month.

Council voted 8-0 on Monday to formally object to the license renewal, citing late-night disturbances, dozens of police calls, and repeated violations of city restrictions.

“This meeting was to formally object to the renewal of the liquor license of the Convenient Mart,” Councilman-at-Large Michael O’Brien said. “There’s been violence in the community, dozens upon dozens of police calls, and it unfortunately culminated into a homicide in this very establishment.”

Council members said the store repeatedly disregarded city regulations, including requirements to close between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. “The licensure was told to be closed between two and five o’clock…he just ignored what the city regulated him to do,” O’Brien added. “And as a result, council is formally objecting to the liquor renewal.”

Second Ward Councilman Andrew Herman said the store had long operated more like a bar without being licensed as one.

“They didn’t have a place for patrons to drink, so they would give them to-go containers, and they would either drink them right there in the store or go in the parking lot and hang out late at night and cause problems,” Herman said. “So it wasn’t a bar, and it shouldn’t have had a bar license.”

Supporters of the store filled the council chambers but declined to go on camera. Representatives for the owner said he is currently out of the country and will consult with his legal team before commenting further.

O’Brien said Monday’s decision reflects council’s commitment to neighborhood safety. “We want to keep the peace and tranquility of the neighborhood…this city council is not going to tolerate this kind of a nuisance and this kind of a matter of public safety.”

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