News

February 10

Decision tabled on letting newsstand sell beer

W-B council will wait 2 weeks before voting on request by downtown business to sell beer to go.

BILL O ’ BOYLE boboyle@timesleader.com

WILKES-BARRE – City council decided to wait two weeks to decide if it will approve a request of a downtown business to start selling six-packs to go.

Harshad Patel, owner of Frank’s Newsstand, appeared before council at a public hearing Tuesday prior to council’s work session to ask approval on the transfer of a liquor license from a Hazleton business.

Patel said he wants to expand his business to an adjacent space formerly occupied by a travel agency to open Six Packs To Go, LLC, where he will operate a delicatessen and sell beer.

Attorney John Rogers, representing Patel, said the business is conducive to the downtown that already has several establishments selling alcohol.

“We have notified the adjacent land owners of our plans,” Rogers said. “Mr. Patel does not plan to have any entertainment on site nor any tap systems or hard liquor.”

Council expressed concern about the plan. Council Chairman Bill Barrett said the name “Six Packs To Go” sends the “wrong message.”

Council asked if Patel intends to sell quart containers or single bottles. Rogers said he would discuss that with Patel.

Rob Finlay of Humford Equities appeared to protest the plan. Finlay’s company owns several downtown businesses.

He said another take-out beer place is not needed and that he intends to submit petitions to council in opposition to Patel’s plan.

Councilman Tony Thomas Jr. said beer sales have come to supermarkets like Wegmans.

“It’s the day and age,” Thomas said. “Everybody wants to sell beer. Pretty soon anyone will apply; there’s no way to stop it.”

Council decided to table the matter for two weeks to allow time for Patel to come back with a specific plan of his intentions – specifically if he will limit sales to six packs and 12-packs.

Councilwoman Kathy Kane was concerned about enforcement of drinking in front of Patel’s business. Patel said he would not allow drinking near the store.

“We don’t want to be a bad neighbor,” Rogers said.

“We don’t want people hanging out on Public Square drinking beer from brown bags,” Rogers added.

Kane said people could buy beer to go and then walk across to Public Square and drink during events like the Farmers Market and Fine Arts Fiesta.

Patel has owned Frank’s Newsstand for four years, and he told council business has been off lately.

“Hopefully selling beer will increase my sales,” Patel said.

Patel said he currently is open from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and would probably extend his hours to 9 p.m. if he gets approval for beer sales.

The Anthracite Newsstand across Public Square has a liquor license, Patel said.

Council meets Thursday at 6 p.m. in council chambers, City Hall.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7218.

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