Las Vegas City Commission Minutes, December 8, 1959 to February 17, 1960, lvc000012-59

GAMING APPLICATIONS Additional Approved LIQUOR APPLICATIONS Change of Location Approved Commissioner Whipple moved the following applications for additional gaming licenses he approved and the Supervisor of License and Revenue authorized to issue the licenses: Pete's Cafe 134 L.V.Blvd.S. Badger Enter. 3 Slots Atomic Liquors 917 Fremont J.J.Parker Co. 1 Slot Jerry's Liquor 1311 E.Chrlstn. J.J.Parker Co. 1 Slot Store Motion seconded by Commissioner Fountain and carried by the following vote: Commissioners Elwell, Fountain, Sharp, Whipple and His Honor, Mayor Gragson, voting aye; noes, none. The next matter to come before the meeting was the application of Blaine Beckwith to change the location of his liquor license from the Mayfair Liquor Store, at 1418 Fremont, to 2236 E. Fremont. Attorney Herbert M. Jones, representing Sallie's Liquor Store at 2120 E. Charleston Boulevard, protested to the granting of this change of location. It was Mr. Jones' contention there were too many bars and liquor stores in the area now. He reminded the Commission he had objected to the granting of a liquor license to Mr. Levy, who operates the Lucky Liquor Store at 2002 E. Charleston Boulevard, about a year ago, and called the Commission's attention to all the liquor stores and bars on E. Charleston, mentioning specifically O'Briens, the liquor store near Safeway's, operated by Mr. Holts, Thriftimart, Lucky Club, Bank Club, Green Shack, Troy's Club, Fritzie's and the Saddle Club (the latter three being on Boulder Highway). Mr. Jones stated going back on Fremont Street there was the Nevada Liquor Store, Foodland and then Mr. Beckwith's. Referring to the proposed liquor ordinance, Mr. Jones stated it was his opinion the intention of the new ordinance, among other things, was to have liquor stores no closer than within 1,000' of each other, and the granting of this change of location would put Mr. Beckwith within 400' or 500' from other liquor stores or bars. As an after­thought, Mr. Jones mentioned that Fong's and the Blue Heaven Cocktail Lounge were also in the vicinity to which Mr. Beckwith desired to have his license moved. Mr. Jones concluded by stating he did not believe Mr. Beckwith was suffering a hardship; that Mr. Beckwith was only 4, 5, or 6 blocks away from the proposed new location; that Mr. Beckwith had a liquor store at present, which he had had for many years, and asked the Board to give serious consideration to the approval of this application, in view of the economic effect it would have on other liquor dealers. Mr. Beckwith addressed the Board, stating Sallie's probably did three times the business he did, as it had Crestwood and Eastwood to draw on; that Sallie's was on Charleston and he would be on Fremont; that in 6 years his rent had been raised from $250 to $500 per month for a store 18' wide and 60' deep; that he was certain the rent would be raised again, and that, insofar as liquor licenses were concerned, he was in a more congested area now than he would be in if his application were approved. It was Mr. Beckwith's contention that he was a hardship case. In reply to a question by Commissioner Sharp, Mr. Beckwith stated that he had purchased the property to which he desired to move and, although his lease had 8 or 9 months to run, he planned on moving within 90 days, as soon as he could start building. He advised the Commission he was removing the old building - The Askew Drive-In. Mr. Beckwith further stated that Sallie's had the best outlet among the top three liquor stores in Las Vegas; that Sallie's customers would be coming off Charleston, while his would be coming off Fremont; that Mr. Johnson, who owns Sallie's had only been in business 5 or 6 years, while he had been in business 12 years; that he intended to build 5 buildings on the property purchased by him; that he would have parking for 50 automobiles, as against parking for 12 or 15 cars at his present location; that he had been informed by Mr. Skaggs that his (Mr. Beckwith's) landlord intended to raise his rent still higher; that this was his chance to better himself and he thought he should have the right to move to a location where he could do business. Mr. Beckwith informed the Commission it was Mr. Beckwith's landlord's intention to increase the rent to a point where Mr. Beckwith would find it prohibitive, as Mr. Beckwith's landlord planned to open a liquor store himself. Attorney Jones stated it was his understanding, pursuant to a meeting held the previous evening in connection with the proposed new Liquor Ordinance, that it was the aim of the Commission to limit liquor licenses and he was sure Mr. Beckwith's landlord would have difficulty in obtaining a liquor license under the proposed new Ordinance and again requested the Commission to give serious thought to allowing Mr. Beckwith to operate a liquor store in a congested area. Mr. Beckwith replied that most of the liquor stores and bars to which Mr. Jones referred were on Charleston and that there was only the Nevada Liquor Store and one other on Fremont; that the man who owned the other liquor store on Fremont - not the Nevada - was planning to sell out and return to California. -0O0- 2-3-60