EDGEWATER — Neighbors are pushing back on a proposal to open a liquor store in an iconic Edgewater storefront, arguing it could increase crime in the area, among other concerns.
Bhupendra and Hrishi Patel, who operate three North Side liquor stores, hope to open a shop in the Granville Pictures storefront at 6200 N. Broadway.
Granville Picture Framing closed in 2017 after 90 years in business, and its storefront has remained vacant save for a garden shop pop-up in 2021. The storefront is a well-loved fixture of the neighborhood due to its green art deco signs and neon clock.
The liquor store owners — who would name the shop Pictures Beer, Wine and Spirits — said they would maintain the building’s historical elements and fill a vacancy at a prominent corner storefront. But the store could undo efforts to improve the area, opposing neighbors and the business owners said at a community meeting Tuesday.
The plan would require a zoning change, which means ultimately the decision to allow a liquor store to move forward lies in the hands of Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th). The alderwoman hasn’t made a decision yet and is still hearing feedback from constituents, she said.
During Tuesday’s meeting, nearly 100 neighbors attended to share comments on the proposal, with a majority of those in attendance against the plan. Many people cited past issues Edgewater had with liquor stores and argued another one could be “step back.”
People also raised issue with having a liquor store in the same building as a daycare — which hasn’t opened yet — and said the neighborhood already has plenty of places to buy alcohol.
The Patels and their attorney, Tyler Manic, said their store would maintain the building’s original signs. They pledged to keep the windows clear of large, neon signs and to work with neighbors on a plan of operation over what types and sizes of alcohol they would sell, they said at the meeting.
Manic also said the owners would support down-zoning the building after they received their license in an effort to assuage neighbors’ concerns that changing the zoning could open the door for other unwanted businesses to come in.
Some of those undesirable businesses, like “adult use” stores, require an additional special-use permit even if they are allowed by the building’s zoning, allowing more local oversight of such businesses, said Jorge Iván Soto, director of economic development and engagement for the 48th Ward office
Despite these assurances, many neighbors remained unconvinced about the benefits to the liquor store opening.
Only a few spoke up in favor of the proposal at the meeting, but Manic said the team has received over 70 letters of support from residents as well as support from each of the chambers of commerce from the neighborhoods where they operate other stores.
At one point during the meeting, Edgewater neighbor Steve Hutton asked people opposed to the liquor store to raise their hands. A supermajority of attendees raised their hand.
Patricia Sharkey, president of Edgewater North Neighbors-Northeast Organization of Neighbors, said a liquor store would be the “wrong” use for this building space. Last month, the block club wrote a letter to Manaa-Hoppenworth opposing the opening.
“Think about this beautiful building,” Sharkey said Tuesday. “This is a fabulous store; there’s no reason it can’t have a fabulous use.”
Lance Lewis, whose family has been in Edgewater for nearly 100 years, said he recalls the neighborhood’s “tough times,” including when the community fought to shut down two problem liquor stores at Granville and Winthrop avenues. Lewis urged the community to not let history repeat itself.
“Once you get a liquor store in, God bless, it’s hard to get out,” he said. “They become an eyesore in your neighborhood. Don’t make a mistake.”
Ron Abrams, building owner and principal of Silver Property Group, said it’s been difficult to find a tenant for the space in the nearly eight years it’s been vacant. He said he’s worked with five groups about potentially opening up in the space, but plans have fallen through each time.
“This is the opportunity in front of me right now,” Abrams told neighbors. “I respect the pros and cons to all of it. I’m just telling you, I have tried to fill this space.”
One of the liquor store’s few vocal supporters was a neighbor named Travis, who said he imagines it’s hard to find tenants in a post-COVID business world.
“We have reputable business owners here who have a good establishment and other locations who are endorsed by other chambers of commerce, but there’s a lot of opposition towards this liquor store, which I don’t understand,” he said.
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