LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A liquor license for thirteen Family Dollar stores across Louisville has been denied by Louisville's Alcoholic Beverage Control.
It was the third time in five years the locations submitted applications to sell malt liquor.
"The application and the right to sell alcohol is a privilege," Louisville ABC Director Brad Silveria said. It's a privilege denied. In a rejection letter, he decided it "would not be in the interest of the public" to issue the license. He gave several reasons, such as Family Dollar's unpaid taxes, city liens against their properties, false statements on their application, a 2018 denial by his predecessor and clusters of crime within a half-mile of each location.
"We've all listened, I've listened. I stand by them because they know what is best for our neighborhoods and best for our city," Mayor Craig Greenberg said about the decision.
Many of the Family Dollar locations that applied for the licenses are located in west and south Louisville.
District 5 Councilwoman Donna Purvis first voiced concerns on the issue last August, saying Family Dollar “[preys] on communities that are weak” and that they're trying to profit off their pain.
Purvis said there is plenty of alcohol in these neighborhoods, but not enough fresh groceries in the area.
Annette Grinstead is one west end resident who could use more convenience.
It takes a 40-minute round trip on the bus just to go to Kroger on West Broadway. She needs a high-protein diet diet because she's struggling with stage four kidney failure.
"So I do a lot of eggs," she shared, adding, "and Family Dollar does have eggs, but as far as meat and stuff—" to that, she shook her head.
"West End Neighborhoods are inundated with negative economic development. The people have finally spoken up, and they're tired. We would never be fighting about too many Walmarts, or too many Targets, or too many Walgreens. But we're definitely sick and tired of seeing too many liquor stores,” she said.
"I'm glad they got denied," Gilberta Gore said on her way out of the store with a bag full of groceries. She believed if Family Dollar starting selling alcohol, kids in the area would either beg for it or try and steal it. In the past, they've asked her for things they can't buy themselves. "Saying, 'hey, would you buy me some cigarettes? Would you buy me a black and mild?'" she recalled.
Family Dollar told WHAS11 News in January they don’t sell liquor but some of their stores offer beer and wine typically found at other grocery retailers.
In an updated statement, a spokesperson said they "remain committed to following Kentucky law and to serving the Louisville community with the products, service and convenience they know and expect from Family Dollar."
The chain can still file an appeal with the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
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