OLD REDFORD, Mich. – Some residents and business owners in the Old Redford neighborhood on Detroit’s east side have many questions surrounding plans to open a new liquor store.
The store is located on Grand River Avenue at the corner of Lahser Road. Some community members said the proposed liquor store is not what the community needs, based on the property’s history of past problems.
The gray-washed building has been at the center of a petition circulating online and in the community. The header of the petition says, “Old Redford Does Not Want Another Liquor Store.”
One person who signed the petition wrote, “We have too many liquor outlets already.”
Another petition supporter said, “We need safer neighborhoods, and another liquor store does not provide that.”
The building at the center of the controversy was once the site of City Liquor Shoppe and Piper Liquor.
Neighbors described the location as a nuisance business that shut down in February 2023. They said there was a history of criminal activity, complaints of loitering, drug activity, and other trouble at the location.
Neighbor Bruce Abe said, “It’s a business. I mean, look at all this other stuff going on. I don’t mind another business. Liquor store or not.”
The petition, already signed by nearly 500 people, argues the 48219 zip code already has more than 52 liquor stores and dispensaries. Several liquor stores are already operating or planning to open near the proposed location.
Detroit Council President Pro Tem James Tate said neighbors have been talking to him about their concerns with a liquor store potentially opening at the location.
“Residents and business owners are frustrated or have been frustrated over the years by this business,” Tate said. “The behavior. The flat-out disrespect that they’ve provided. There have been shootings, stabbings, fightings, and very aggressive behavior from the patrons and employees.”
The property has new ownership, according to Gorgees Beniameen. He and his business partner said they purchased the building in January 2023, and said they have no connection to the previous owners.
They said they plan to operate a liquor store and deli from the location. The men said they haven’t opened up yet because they’re working on renovations to make the place look nice.
Beniameen said, “Whatever shady things they had going on, that will not be happening here. We will have nobody standing around. We’re going to have a security guard for the purpose of people not standing in the store doing whatever it is that they do.”
While hundreds of people have already signed the petition, including 40 letters allegedly sent to City Hall by schools, business owners, and other concerned residents, the property owners said they do not want trouble. They said they want to be good neighbors.
Some business owners nearby, however, said the property owners have not introduced themselves to neighboring stores.
Beniameen said, “The only message I can tell them is, ‘You guys are going to have a great environment to come in, a safe environment to come into, where you don’t have to worry about nothing, and go from there.’”
The city of Detroit’s Department of Administrative Hearings is holding a meeting about the proposed liquor store at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23.