Historical December 1990 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
St. Louis is a city of neighborhoods. Common to most City neighborhoods is the corner bar or tavern. Years ago the corner tavern served as the neighborhood gathering place. Today many of the neighborhood bars and taverns remain, but the clientele has changed.
A sign of the times, neighborhood bars and taverns are giving way to problems of loitering, rowdiness and violence. Many liquor establishments are becoming trouble spots in the City’s quiet neighborhoods.
The City of St. Louis is striving to address these concerns through revisions in its liquor ordinances.
In May of 1989, new liquor ordinances were adopted by the City of St. Louis.
The new ordinances allow neighborhood residents greater control over liquor establishments in their neighborhoods.
A tavern license now requires the approval of a majority of the property owners and a majority of the registered voters in businesses within 350 feet of the establishment. Package liquor stores no longer can sell their businesses and turn their license over to the new owners.
Each time the store ownership changes, the new owners must get a new license and thus go to the neighborhood for consent.
All liquor licenses are subject to protest by citizens.
If it can be shown through opposing neighborhood consent petitions or any other substantial evidence that the issuances, renewal or continuation of a liquor license would be detrimental to the community, then the Commissioner has the right to refuse or place terms and conditions on the license.
In addition to the new liquor ordinances, the Excise Commissioner has been working with the Police Department and the Missouri Division of Liquor Control to crack down on liquor establishments considered to be problematic by the Police Department.
In 1987, there were 85 liquor establishments deemed as trouble spots.
In 1988 and 1989, the number of establishments dropped to 50 and 45, respectively.
This translates into a 41.2% decrease in 1988 and a 10% decrease in 1989.
The City of St. Louis has successfully strengthened the liquor laws, yet the involvement and participation by the neighborhood and Police Department are vital to the successful application of these new laws to the problems we face today. Through a cooperative effort, we will achieve our goal of improving the quality of life for our citizens.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, December 1990.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: No personal byline appears on the office column; retain Author not credited rather than infer the mayor’s identity. Printed phrase “registered voters in businesses” retained.
Original source: SD_Times1990_12.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
