Downtown convenience store can’t sell beer, wine

The city’s planning commission rejected a request from the owners of a proposed downtown convenience store to sell beer and wine for carryout.

That decision came after Al and Fidaa Musleh, owners of the proposed store, failed to appear at today’s planning commission meeting.

Reached by The Vindicator after the meeting, Al Musleh said he and his wife didn’t receive a letter from the city about the meeting.

But Karen Perkins, the city’s zoning analyst, said the planning and zoning office mailed the letter April 8 to the Musleh’s home.

The store, which would also be a Mediterranean deli, is to be located at 116 W. Federal St., the former location of Plaza Optical. The building has been vacant for about two years.

Unless a waiver is granted in the future, the store couldn’t legally sell beer and wine, said Bill D’Avignon, the city’s community development agency director.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com