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Bloomington To Seek Conditions For Convenience Store To Reopen

Eric Stock
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WGLT
The former West Side Food and Beverage, 906 S. Morris Ave., in Bloomington is seeking to reopen under new ownership as the Park Pantry.

A Bloomington convenience store wanting to reopen under new ownership will have to limit its hours and make other accommodations to get a liquor license.
The city council on Monday will consider a request for a packaged liquor license for Park Pantry, 906 S. Morris Ave. Owner Puma Enterprise is taking over the former West Side Food and Beverage.

Tim Gleason
Credit Charlie Schlenker / WGLT
/
WGLT
Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason said the city's liquor commission sought to place conditions on Park Pantry's liquor license after hearing complaints from some neighbors.

The Bloomington Liquor Commission recommended the city council approve the liquor license, provided the store close at 11 p.m. each night and install outdoor cameras and lighting. The store would also have to ensure liquor sales make up less than 50 percent of its revenue.

“It appears (the commission) found a spot where they are going to get majority support,” city manager Tim Gleason said. “I’m sure there are some of the residents in the neighborhood that are still opposed to it because even we heard them under public comment at one of our previous council meetings.”

Several neighbors spoke out at the June 11 liquor commission meeting against the convenience store, complaining of heavy foot traffic, speeding cars, loud music and other nuisances when the previous store was open.

Bloomington Police said they have no concerns about the business.

Rivian Motorway

Gleason said it was too soon to prepare a proposal for the city council to consider renaming Mitsubishi Motorway to Rivian Motorway.

He said the council will either consider at the July 22 or Aug. 5 meeting.

Normal’s Town Council narrowly approved the change last week after a lengthy debate. Gleason said it’s too soon to suggest whether the proposal will spark any debate in Bloomington.

“We actually have some renaming considerations for different parts of the community, so I think there’s interest (on) the council, but at the end of the day, the vote on this specific matter I don’t have a guage,” he said.

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Eric Stock is the News Director at WGLT. You can contact Eric at ejstoc1@ilstu.edu.