Albany City Commission works to clean up ‘mess’ resulting from alcohol license

ALBANY – Sima and Joe Veean will be able to sleep a little more soundly after a week of worry about the status of an alcohol license for their business in east Albany.

The relief came when the Albany City Commission approved the request for a change of location for the 110 Cordele Road Happy Liquors store that opened on Jan. 13 across Sylvester Highway from the Veann’s former location at Tate’s Liquors.

Wednesday’s vote was necessary because the city had issued a 2024 alcohol license at the new location without bringing the request to the commission, which must give its approval in the case of a change of location.

Happy Liquors was given a temporary license status to remain in operation until commissioners made a decision, and the Wednesday vote gave permanent status to the new store.

“I’m going to vote yes, but this is truly a mess,” Commissioner Vilnis Gaines said before the 5-1 vote was taken.

The sole no vote came from Commissioner Jon Howard, who in nearly all instances votes in opposition to the issuance of alcohol licenses.

The entire situation had left Joe Veean puzzled and concerned about the future of his business.

“I’ve been there for 35 years,” he said in a Tuesday interview. “I’ve held that license for that long. I always do my business in a lawful manner.”

The move came after he tried to purchase the Tate’s Liquors building out of which he had operated for more than three decades, a proposition he said was too expensive.

“I could never work hard enough to survive at the price,” he said. “We started looking and came across this property, dependent on the local approval and the state approval. I got the (initial) license after their due diligence, and then we closed on this property because we had both.

“All I did was apply for an alcohol license, and they did their legwork and approved me.”

Albany attorney Jim Edge, who represented Veean at Wednesday’s meeting, said that Veean’s investment for purchasing the shopping center that is anchored by a Family Dollar store is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. A clause in the purchase agreement stipulated that it was dependent on Veean receiving the license.

“Mr. Veean came to the city and requested a license,” the attorney said. ”He filled out the forms, paid the fees and was approved for a license (at 110 Cordele Road). The license was issued.”

Prior to Wednesday, the Veeans said they were having trouble sleeping as they worried about whether they would have to close Happy Liquors.

“I put my life savings in this business,” Joe Veean said. “Now somebody is complaining. I don’t know who. This is after doing everything in the lawful manner. I am sad. I am upset. Why am I having to go through all this?

“I’m a nervous wreck since the news was delivered to me. It’s just not right for a law-abiding citizen to be in this kind of mess.”

Prior to the commission vote, Mike Tate told commissioners that he was not aware of the planned move from the Tate’s Liquors location, only finding out when a sign was placed in a window on Jan. 3 stating the store was closed.

“I had no early idea he was moving across the street,” Tate said. “It’s my fault for not staying up on things.”

Mike Tate and his brother Tim have applied for a license to re-open Tate’s Liquors.

A major criticism from Mike Tate was that the new store was allowed to remain in operation after the city learned that the commission’s approval was needed for the change of location. They pointed to the legacy of their father, who opened the liquor store and adjacent Tate’s Tavern, which is still in operation, after retiring from the U.S. Army.

“I understand a mistake was made,” Mike Tate said. “We’re not disputing (the license). We wish him the best. I’m not trying to hold anyone back.”

One sticking point for Commissioner Chad Warbington was the question of whether or not the Tate’s location is too close to the new store for it to receive a license of its own, as state requirements prohibit stores being in too close proximity. He suggested delaying a vote on the Cordele Road store while that issue is settled.

“The state has said they will not give us an opinion about whether or not they would approve this (Tate’s) license unless there is an application in front of them,” City Attorney Michael Custer said. “They will not tell us.”

While there is no guarantee for the Tates, City Manager Terrell Jacobs said the state puts great weight on a local government’s approval in cases involving alcohol licenses. He suggested the state may look favorably on the city’s decision and give its own approval.

Mayor Bo Dorough said that the Veeans should not be punished by delaying a decision as Warbington suggested.

“The Tate’s said (the commission) should be outraged. … (But) this was a mistake,” Dorough said. “They’re going through the proper channels. That’s why we’re here tonight.

“(We) shouldn’t say the Tates get a license as a consolation prize. It’s before the board to vote on this (Veean’s) license.”