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Florissant City Council: Action on Several Bills
Name Changes For Hwy 67 BBQ, Dog N Frys,
and Family Dollar Seeks Liquor Sales
By Carol Arnett
The Florissant City Council had a light agenda this week, with no public hearings on the agenda. They did take action on several bills, many dealing with restaurant changes.
The council passed a bill that would transfer the special use permit from Hwy 67 BBQ to Shade Restaurant. The restaurant is located at 1752-1754 N. New Florissant Rd. This was postponed from the last meeting after some council members said they wanted to gather more information.
The council passed a bill that authorizes the transfer of a special use permit from Dog N Frys to House of Jollof for the operation of a sit-down, carry-out restaurant at 503 Paul Ave.
The council passed a bill that would amend the article of the city code dealing with Dance Halls and Similar Businesses by deleting and replacing it with a new section.
The council also discussed requests by two Family Dollar stores to have a Malt Liquor and Wine Package Liquor license for the stores at 750 S. New Florissant Rd. and 2568 N. Hwy. 67. The council spoke to the petitioner, Michael Malooly, the regional manager for Family Dollar.
Councilman Keith Schildroth said that he was frequently in the area of the store at 750 S. New Florissant Road and had noticed a lot of trash and debris around the store. He said he hoped the store would take care of it. He also said he had been in the store when it was cluttered.
“We recently renovated that store,” Malooly said. He said he would make it his personal goal to deal with the trash issue.
The store is in Councilwoman Jackie Pagano’s ward. “I can tell you that I get more complaints about that store than any others,” she said. She added that she had talked with the manager several times about it. She said she was worried that the liquor license would result in even more trash.
“This is since you opened the doors,” she added, saying that the trash was not a recent problem. “Having a liquor license is more a privilege,” she said. “It’s not a right.” She said her residents did not want the liquor license, so she would vote no.
Councilman Robert Parson said that he did not think that alcohol was a good fit for Family Dollar and asked how many stores in the St. Louis area sold alcohol. Malooly said that Family Dollar has sold alcohol in other states, but is just starting alcohol sales in Missouri.
He said that 50 to 75 stores have applied for liquor licenses.
Pagano asked City Attorney John Hessel if the council could restrict single-serve sales at the store. Hessel said that the only places they are restricted are businesses that also sell gas. Hessel said that the council has revoked licenses, but never for trash issues.
Pagano asked Mullooly if he was aware of the complaints and problems at the store. He said he did not know about the problems.
Councilman Paul Manganelli asked how employees would be trained to avoid sales to minors. Mullooly said the procedure varies by state. He said they currently have training that employees must complete before selling tobacco or alcohol, and they also comply with any other training the state requires.
The council approved the request. They then moved on to discussion about the store at 2568 N. Hwy. 67. Schildroth asked if that location would also address the trash situation. Mullooly said that it would.
“I have concerns,” Councilman Tommy Siam said. He added that he did not think Family Dollar was the worst offender in the plaza where it is located, but it is a problem.
The council approved the request for the store on N. Hwy. 67.
IN OTHER ACTION, THE COUNCIL:
Approved a request to transfer a special use permit from Top Gear Auto LLC to the Hertz Corporation for an auto rental business at 1285 N. Hwy. 67. The council also held a first reading on the bill approving the business.
Passed a bill amending a section of the city code dealing with residential real estate.
Held a first reading on a bill that authorizes the mayor to enter into an agreement with Enterprise FM Trust for the leas of City of Florissant fleet vehicles.
