By Clarence Cromwell
The possibility of hard liquor sales in the Stop N Save market at Seagull Way and Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road has drawn opposition from the Saratoga City Council as well as area residents.
At the request of former Saratoga Mayor Jack Mallory, the City Council decided Feb. 27 to send a letter to the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control opposing liquor sales at the store.
Mallory had already asked the state to block Stop N Save owner Jack Kapoor from selling liquor at the convenience market. Mallory said the store is too close to homes for hard liquor sales and that plenty of liquor is available at other nearby stores. He fears Kapoor might convert the store to a liquor-only outlet. He also believes more liquor sales could increase crime in the area.
Council members said they don't necessarily believe selling alcohol at Kapoor's shop will increase crime. But they supported the neighbors.
"The council, in general, is not anxious to have more liquor sold in the city than is already being sold," Mayor Paul Jacobs said.
"It's not that we're prohibitionists. The issue is not banning alcohol. The question is, 'Do we want it here?' "
Kapoor defended his market.
"There are no added crimes occurring because you have liquor," he said.
Kapoor said he does not plan to get rid of the grocery items in his store to sell only liquor.
"As a retailer, I am at a disadvantage when Safeway and Longs can sell liquor and I cannot," he explained.
The state beverage-control office has not yet scheduled a hearing on Kapoor's license.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, March 6, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved