I st Ward Alderman Joe Moreno 2058 N. Western Ave. chidgo, IL 60647

June 15,2012

Dear Alderman Moreno,

\ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - I

The board of directors of the WCCC would like to request that the package sales liquor license restrictions in place on the commercial streets within our service area be lifted; specifically the restrictions on Chicago Avenue and Division Street from Damen to Ashland, and on Ashland and Damen from Division to Chicago. While fifteen years ago there may have been a need to restrict package liquor sales in the East Village district for safety issues, the neighborhood has since gentrified, thus the WTCCC board of directors believes that the restrictions are no longer necessary and are actually prohibiting positive commercial development. If in the future there is a case in which a business with a package liquor sales license is causing safety issues or problems, the Deleterious Impact Ordinance can now address those situations.

In recent years there have been several existing small business owners, convenience grocers, requesting support for obtaining package sales licenses on Chicago Avenue and on Damen Avenue in the East Village neighborhood in order to compete with the new Dominick's and to provide goods and services for the new demographic. Instead of supporting each current and future request, the WTCCC board voted to request that the entire package sales restriction be lifted. Retaining existing businesses and recruiting new businesses to the area is the mission of this chamber, and the outdated liquor license restrictions are deterring that mission. Please take our request into consideration. Thank you.

r S .

Sincerely, - . .- .

Kafa Hughes Salgado

CC: 32" Wgrd Alderman Scott Waguespack

1819 W. CHICAGO AVENUE CHlCAGO ILLINOIS 60622 TELE 3121850-9390 FAX 312350-9414

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