Jeff Bergosh Blog: A Liquor Store Right Across the street from the Middle School?

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I am one member of a five person board. The opinions I express on this forum are mine only, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Escambia County Staff, Administrators, Employees, or anyone else associated with Escambia County Florida. I am interested in establishing this blog as a means of additional transparency to the public, outreach to the community, and information dissemination to all who choose to look. Feedback is welcome, but because public participation is equally encouraged, appropriate language and decorum is mandatory. Although this is not my campaign site for re-election--sometimes campaign related information will be discussed, therefore in an abundance of caution I add the following : Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Jeff Bergosh, Republican, for Escambia County Commissioner District 1

Monday, January 17, 2022

A Liquor Store Right Across the street from the Middle School?

What's really worse--a bunch of retail stores that already sell suitcase after suitcase of cheap Keystone canned beer OR a fine dining restaurant that serves a nice Cabernet with the Filet Mignon--on premise?

The rumor that was being spread this past weekend was it was going to be a liquor store "right in front of the school!"

The truth was a lot less sensational.

There is a piece of land in Beulah that is across the street from Beulah Middle School, across 9-Mile Road, where an individual is interested in building a full service restaurant and a retal store. Not a liquor store. Not a bar.

In the HDMU district, a full service restaurant (including service of alcoholic beverages, beer and wine) is allowed with a conditional use permit.

So on Wednesday this request for a conditional use permit will be considered by the Escambia County Board of Adjustment. I believe a full service restaurant in Beulah is desperately needed. We still do not have one, not ONE (1) full service restaurant in Beulah. We have the gas station roller machine hot dogs, the Tom Thumb microwave burritos, a sushi shop, a Pizza Hut, and they are building a McDonalds----but we still don't have ONE (1) full service restaurant here yet where I can sit down, order a delicious steak and a glass of Merlot or Cabernet.

We have to drive down to Pine Forest road for that. And that's what we do.

So yes, I think a full service restaurant in Beulah is something the community wants and needs------but this is a whole lot different than a "liquor store" right in front of the middle school. This is not that.

Read the backup on the item here---and/or feel free to attend the meeting and speak.

I mean, like I told one individual with whom I spoke on this topic: There's a full service Publix Liquor store in the Publix center right across Beulah road from TWO middle schools already. And the Dollar General right next to Beulah Middle School sells cases of beer out the front door by the Pallet load. Suitcase after suitcase of Natural Lite beer out the front door--right next to the middle school. So, with that as the backdrop----is it really something to go crazy about if a nice restaurant opens across the street that serves wine with a meal? Really?

We'll see what happens Wednesday.