'Here we go again': Family Dollar stores reapply to sell beer despite community protests

Bailey Loosemore, Louisville Courier Journal
Updated ·3 min read
2

Five years after Louisville officials denied requests to sell beer at 22 Family Dollar stores following community protests, the company is again seeking liquor licenses at many of the same locations.

And again, residents living near at least one of the sites are prepared to push back.

This month, Family Dollar filed applications to sell alcohol at 13 stores located mostly in the city's west and south ends, including 10 that were previously denied.

One of the stores seeking a license is located at 1419 W. Jefferson St. in the Russell neighborhood, where residents and elected officials led protests in 2018 arguing their area was already oversaturated with places to buy alcohol.

"It's like, 'Oh hell, here we go again,'" said Jackie Floyd, a Russell resident who'd helped organize the protests. "(I'm) disappointed because they saw we were against it. They retreated and decided to come back."

Made with Flourish
Made with Flourish

Floyd said she's still concerned about the number of liquor outlets in her neighborhood (at least two liquor stores are located within three blocks of the Family Dollar on Jefferson Street). And she's already contacted several Louisville Metro Council members, local pastors and other residents, asking them to write letters opposing the new applications.

"I understand businesses are in the business to make money," she said. "But are you being positive in that community or are you hurting the community?"

Family Dollar did not immediately respond to requests for comment about why the company decided to apply for some stores again.

More: Dollar stores are taking over as pharmacies shutter. Why some say it’s hurting communities

In an email, Louisville Alcoholic Beverage Control spokesman Brandon Bowden said administrator Brad Silveria will take community comments into consideration when deciding whether or not to approve the requested licenses.

In denying the previous applications, former administrator Robert Kirchdorfer cited public sentiment, detrimental health impact and the number of active licenses in the areas as reasons for the rejections.

A Family Dollar store in Portland, for example, was located within one mile of 33 already-licensed establishments at the time, one letter Kirchdorfer wrote stated.

That store has not applied for a license again.

Bowden said businesses denied liquor licenses can reapply following a 30-day appeal period, "assuming that there has been a change in the application that was previously denied. For instance, if ownership or the company applying for the license has changed."

Opponents have 30 days from a liquor license application's filing date to submit complaints to the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Letters can be sent to 500 Mero Street 2NE33, Frankfort, Kentucky, 40601.

Questions and concerns can also be sent to the local ABC office at abclicensing@louisvilleky.gov.

Family Dollar stores currently requesting liquor licences are:

  • 3901 W. Market St.

  • 5312 S. Third St.

  • 3022 Portland Ave.

  • 4335 Bardstown Road

  • 3277 Taylor Blvd.

  • 4126 Taylor Blvd.

  • 6312 Greenwood Road

  • 3201 Kristin Way

  • 790 Eastern Parkway

  • 3036 Wilson Ave.

  • 5107 Dixie Highway

  • 1419 Jefferson St.

  • 701 Valley College Drive

Reach reporter Bailey Loosemore at bloosemore@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4646 or on Twitter @bloosemore.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville Family Dollar stores apply to sell beer, despite protests