Meeting to discuss Nic Nak selling liquor-- March 16 Update: Hearing delayed

Emilie Raguso Thu, 18 Mar at 12:57pm
Plucky's is one of many Oakland liquor stores. Photo by David Gallagher, http://www.flickr.com/photos/anythreewords/3503689040/

Plucky's is one of many Oakland liquor stores. Photo by David Gallagher, http://www.flickr.com/photos/anythreewords/3503689040/

Update, 3/12: From supporters of the alcohol ban at Nic Nak, on March 12:

"Colleagues and fellow Appellants: we learned yesterday that the Nik Nak (sic) owners requested and were granted a delay in the Appeal hearing. The earliest it will occur is late April, or more likely during May.

NO NEED TO FILL OUT SPEAKERS CARDS AT THIS TIME. We will notify everyone when it is scheduled to occur.

Sorry about this bump in the road. We did not agree to this delay. The Nik Nak (sic) lawyer took the matter to the City Council Rules Committee and it agreed to postpone the matter.

On the positive side, more time for us to prepare even more compelling testimony."

--

North Oakland residents who want to stop Nic Nak Convenient Store from selling booze will have a chance to have their say before City Council on March 16. 

According to neighborhood organizers, the Planning Commission decided to approve a variance to let the store, at 6400 Shattuck Ave., sell alcohol after a hiatus of several years. More than 40 neighbors in the Shattuck Corridor filed an appeal against the decision.

According to the Oakland blog "We Fight Blight," "Neighbors living near liquor stores in North Oakland and South Berkeley have had their quality of life greatly diminished by liquor stores and their patrons. Neighbors have reported drunks passed out on their lawns, bottles and cans strewn about, cars broken into and rifled through for change, and fear of alcohol-fueled disputes that end in violence, sometimes even in death."

Since 2000, the City Council has tried to reduce the over-concentration of liquor stores in Oakland.

Those who want to join the conversation about Nic Nak and the prevalence of liquor stores in the city are planning to meet at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall lobby for the 7 p.m. meeting on March 16.

Learn much more here.

About Emilie Raguso
Emilie Raguso is a multimedia reporter in Oakland who focuses on issues of criminal justice, food and Oakland culture. She is passionate about social media, documentary photography and sustainable living. Her work has appeared on Salon and NPR, as well as in The Modesto Bee, Greater Good magazine and the East Bay Express. Write her at eraguso@gmail.com, follow her on Twitter (@emraguso) and see more of her work at http://raguso.us.
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Emilie Raguso commented Array ago

From supporters of the alcohol ban at Nik Nak, on March 12:

"Colleagues and fellow Appellants: we learned yesterday that the Nik Nak owners requested and were granted a delay in the Appeal hearing. The earliest it will occur is late April, or more likely during May.

NO NEED TO FILL OUT SPEAKERS CARDS AT THIS TIME. We will notify everyone when it is scheduled to occur.

Sorry about this bump in the road. We did not agree to this delay. The Nik Nak lawyer took the matter to the City Council Rules Committee and it agreed to postpone the matter.

On the positive side, more time for us to prepare even more compelling testimony."