I am shocked that the Thakkars and Weavers would suggest building a liquor store near the intersection of Old Peachtree and Hirrican Shoals. There are tons of churches, Shools, and subdivisions near those locations. I am not opposed to a liquor store, I am just opposed to building one there. Does anyone else feel as I do? These locations are a bad idea.

It seems an odd provision to allow only one store thus creating a monopoly on local liquor sales for whoever "wins" the application process. That makes this liquor license extremely valuable. What are the criteria for the winning "bid" and what steps have been taken to ensure the most deserving (not the most politically connected etc.) receives the license? It looks to me like this whole process opens the city up to potential lawsuits from the losers. Tread carefully Dacula.

I agree Jenny, why would you build new stores when there are plenty of empty commercial spaces around town. I also would not bank on someone moving into the area if they are given the permit. I would want someone who is already in the area supporting Dacula.

Two things I found strange when I moved down here from the Midwest 14 years ago.

1.) You could not buy alcohol on Sunday.
2.) You could not buy liquor in a grocery store.

Number 1 has finally changed. Can we please change number 2? It would be much more convenient.

Brian - you make a very good point. The only way for a city to make this decision fairly is by lottery. The City of Loganville is awarding there two liquor licenses this way. Otherwise, the license will definitely go to the most politically connected or favored candidate... As experienced by a former client of mine and one of the Dacula candidates in another city last year. I applaud the City of Loganville for completely removing the politics from the decision. I can tell you that the Weaver's proposed plan that I saw presented last year was indeed impressive and they seemed like great folks.

Jenny - to address your issues: there are state laws that address the distance requirements for liquor stores and schools/churches, etc...

I agree with Jenny and Michelle. If the city approves to put a liquor store by the intersection of Old Peachtree and Hurrican Shoals Road, then the person applying must be connected. This is a terrible location. It is also right down from the brand new Rabbit Hill Park. I live in this area. There are three churches, and a great deal of subdivisions around this non-commercial area. One can only come to the conclusion that if they allow the Weavers or Thakkar's to put a store at that location they must be connected. Because it is BAD for the people that live and worship in the area.

Please don't misunderstand my comment. I didn't imply that proposed locations had any connection to a an applicants political standing with the council (if any relationship with council members exists at all).

What I stated was that the only undeniably fair way to make this decision is to implement a qualified lottery draw. This way there is absolutely no bias.

Regarding the location of the package store; as long as it meets the requirements of the state law regarding distances involving schools, churches and the like - there is little the public can do to stop it's construction.

I will say that the package store built in Grayson is right next door to a church; it causes little disruption, if any. Although I'm sure the congregation that worships there prefers it to be elsewhere, it does meet the legal distance requirement.

From what I can tell so far, it seems like the presentation put forth by Mr. Korom seems to be the best option. It's not super close to any of the schools and makes use of already available retail space. What were to happen if one of the other applicants is approved, opens up a store and for whatever reason, business fails? Then we're stuck with another empty building in Dacula. I hope the city council and citizens realize Dacula needs to really implement smart growth. I really don't think the Hebron church members will be too happy. From the way it looks as well, Mr. Korom is the only local person who's submitted an application.

Michelle: I stand by my earlier comments. The proposed liquor store locations near the intersection of Old Peachtree Road and Hurricane Shoals Road are terrible. Yes, I agree they maybe legal. Just like Goverment Lobbyist, Campaign Contributions, Paid Research Vacations; but it does not mean it is right. Our local politicians have a clear choice. If all three applicatiants are financially qualified then the Concil Members should award the store to the person who will harm the community the least. Or in better terms, who will help the community the most. If they put this store near the intersection of Old Peachtree and Hurrican Shoals Road, they will affect a lot of peoples lives. Quality of life, traffic, congestion, noise, and most of all PROPERTY VALUES. The other choice is on Winder Highway, where the Green Tea used to be. This location will not hurt anyones way of life and property values. It will help everyone because of jobs and tax revenues. So if they vote for the one that hurts people, I have to wonder what is our local politicians motivation.

I agree that Mr. Korom's location and proposal are the best out of the three involved. He is a Dacula resident and has the communities best interests at heart. It would be a shame to put a new building at the other location as it will effect people's lives and home values. Putting the Liquor store at the old Green Tea location just makes sense, and having a resident who cares about the Dacula community and Gwinnett County is certainly to me the most logical way to go.

I understand the location that Mr. Korom has selected pleases the people, but I don't think it complies with the ordinance as it is not a stand-alone building.

If I were Mr. Korom, I would make a serious inquiry as to the eligibility of the property he has proposed.

I agree with all of you about the decision to go with an established member of the community.

My client in Grayson was the only applicant to own a business in the city. He was also the one to fund the petition drive that made the vision possible. And he was the only applicant (at the time) to outright own property to build the package store (a structure which would have been re-developed).

Because my client had ties to Grayson & cared about the city, his business model for the package store reflected a "gold" commitment to safety. During the petition drive, we communicated the model to the residents which included no Sunday sales, no sale of tobacco/lottery. It was believed this would prevent an underage element, undesirables & prevent lingering in parking lot.

However, my client was not the "politically favored" applicant that was awarded the license.

Instead, it went to "liquor store mogul of GA" who transferred his 2nd state package store license to a long-time business partner just 2-3 months prior to the decision in Grayson (as reported in Suwannee Patch). Georgia law only allows an individual to hold 2 package store licenses.

This is where I feel the Grayson council made serious errors. You have to ask why they chose an outsider over a member of the community? You have to ask why they chose a business model that is a greater safety risk? You have to ask why they strayed from what their community seemed comfortable with?

Or do you have to ask?

Michelle: Wrong again. I appears to me that you are still working for the Weavers as you have admitted doing so in your earlier post. As far as Mr. Korom’s location, I have already checked. I have driven by all three locations, because I live in Dacula. Where do you live? Mr. Korom's location is the whole shopping center where the Green Tea used to be, not part of it.
The Weavers and Thakkars locations are both near all three Hebron Campuses, Grace Baptist Church, Cornerstone Fellowship Church, and in the middle of 500 homes and right up the street from Rabbit Hill Park. I have never worked for any of the three applicants; I live in Dacula; I care about Dacula.

Michelle: I did not know the Weavers tried to get a Liquor Store in Grayson. Hmmm. My only dog in the fight is that I do not want the Liquor Store in my neighborhood. The politicians have a choice. As I have said earlier.

I do not care who gets the License. I would prefer it to be a local person, not an out of towner. I just feel there are better location choices. I do agree with you that a lottery would be nice. But, this is not what we have. The big issue to me is where it is going to be, because this affects me and a lot of people.

Mr. Campo,

What I said in an earlier post was that the presentation that the Weaver's made to the Grayson Council was impressive and that they seemed like good folks. I do not work for them, nor have I ever worked for them.

How you arrived at that conclusion is a mystery to me.

The Weaver's were one of three applicants in the City of Grayson in 2012. They were not however my client which I spoke of earlier. Again - the Weavers were not my client, and I have never worked for the Weavers, nor have I ever met the Weavers.

I have no dog in the Dacula package store bid. However, I do pay attention to current events in neighboring cities close to where I live and work.

I don't know you and I'm sure you are a very nice person, but please try to read my posts carefully and understand what I have said before calling me out as wrong and misrepresenting what I have said. If you don't understand, then ask questions to clarify.

Mr. Campo,
I do understand the concerns that surround package stores and where they are ultimately located. If it helps, I can tell you that the location in Grayson seems to be working out just fine. So far so good. It hasn't created the traffic nightmare that many were afraid of, and I really don't see it bring down property values.

The building is very pleasing and well landscaped. Package stores are by nature, very successful businesses - so the worries of another empty box can be laid to rest as well.

I do sincerely wish you the best of luck with it. I hope your council makes the best decision possible for your city, without political bias. That is the way it is suppose to work - in a perfect world :)

Michelle,

First of all, I have contracted the entire building at Towler Village (old Green Tea location between Rite Aid and Advance Auto Parts) and plan for a 7000+ Square foot build-out. Secondly, it is absolutely a free standing building. It utilizes an existing building that has been empty for some time located in the heart of Dacula away from churches and heavy residential.

Like others have said it seems to be the most logical location and creates no negative impact on the citizens and in fact is a more responsible location for everyone.

mikekorom@bellsouth.net

404-427-6762

Ah - the devil is in the details - and that detail was not mentioned! Sounds like an awesome plan. Good luck with your proposal!

I'm a Dacula resident and while I'm open to having a nice package store in the community, I certainly hope that we won't be seeing another commercial property built. There appear to be plenty of available spaces already. I moved to Dacula years ago because it was a place that was relatively convenient, but not overgrown with commercial establishments. The landscape has sure changed over the years. I hope that we will utilize an existing space, rather than build again.

I am a Dacula business owner, and I have to say that the locations proposed on Old Peachtree Rd do not sound like the best option. There are several church campuses, schools and parks within much too close of a mileage radius. The location o on Winder Hwy would help to revitalize an area that has stood empty for too long. It would also be in an area that would not conflict with other businesses or organizations that would not appreciate a liquor store next door.

I am a business owner in Gwinnett, and my company respresents over 60 homeowner association's in and around the Dacula, Gwinnett County Area. Homes and homeowners represented is over 8000. I can assure you the communities we work with off of Old Fountain, Dacula Road and Old Peachtree certainly don't want to see a liquor store being built in their back yards. Should this be allowed, i am sure they will remember this decision while casting their ballots at the next elections. Utilizing an existing building that has been vacant for months/years and located in a non residential area is the only place that makes sense to me out of these options. I am sure the other folks are great people, but their plans simply do not work for Dacula and residents. Getting property values back up is on everyones mind these days, and placing a liquor store in the midst of churches, schools, and residential neighborhoods makes absolutely zero sense.

All I know is I have not lived in Florida for many years, and I could buy liquor at the Walgreen's drug store.

I live in Freemans Walk Subdivision and vote in the City of Dacula, My wife and 19 year old son are not registered voters. I will make sure they do vote in the next election along with me. It is crazy to put a liquor store next to all those peoples homes near Hurrican Shoals Road and Old Peachtree Road. There are better options. The location on Winder Highway will not bother anyone. It just makes sense to use a closed commercial building on a highway instead of one on basically residential roads. That is why they call them roads and not highways.

I know Mr. Jimmy Wilbanks will be coming up for re-election soon and I am sure some of the other concil members would like to get re-elected. They need to do whats right by the people and not put the store by all those houses, parks, and churches. I have spoken with my VOTING neighbors and they feel the same way.

I like the Hurricane Shoals locations. I also wonder how many of those 8000 home owners Mr. Thurmond "represents" actually live in the city limits?

I agree with Mr. Thurmond, and I live and vote in the city limits. I do not know why anyone would think the Hurrican Shoals locations are good, unless they are benifting from the store being built there. I wonder why did these applicants did not pick other Winder Highway locations closer to 316 away from peoples houses.

Im sure they just want to be near the Sugarloaf extension that will be in that area .

Good luck Mike Korom and kudos for having good sense with your business plan! I hope and pray your location is selected for the sake of those of us who live right behind/around the other 2 proposed locations! Yours will be just as convenient (if not more so...) but without the disruption to residents. Thank you and best of luck!

LET BE KNOWN KORMON'S SITE IS THE CLOSEST SITE TO DACULA'S SCHOOL SYSTEM & SORROUNDED BY DACULA HOMES - HOMES THAT ARE DACULA CITY VOTERS!

Kormon's site isn't 300 feet from my backyard (and my neighbors') like the other 2 options are, which are less than a 1/2 mile from multiple schools, parks, and neighborhoods. Check that out.

Let it be known, the applicant with EXPERIENCE needs to be the one granted the license. For those of you speaking out about the location, you need to broaden your thought process on other factors involved when handing out a LICENSE to run a package store. Do you want to better Dacula or take the chance that you will have a HUGE crime-ridden eye sore added to our community. Have you seen other package stores that are in buildings that look like Korum's? What about the HUGE sewer problem that exists in that building and has forced the other businesses out because that cannot AFFORD to fix it. Same thing will happen if Korum tries to put a store there. He does not have the capital himself to run a store and he is lying if he says he does. Ask him about Judy and Jerry....The owners of our local Mexican restaraunt that has the police visit almost on a daily basis and an insane number of alcohol violations. These are the people that are giving the capital to Korum and using him as a front for their benefit.Think people before you speak so soon about a "location. This whole thread is ridiculous. Korum is a politician himself, BEWARE!! And a lottery, are you kidding me? Just give it to "Joe Schmo" and hope it all works out.I THINK NOT! The liquor industry is not a joke. Just as other businesses in Dacula have to APPLY for a license this works the same way, there are jut many, many more potential legal ramifications if the wrong applicant gets the license. Korum is not your guy.

BY THE WAY, KORMAN SENT A MASS MAILING TO THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS OF THE HURRICANE SHOALS/ OLD PEACHTREE LOCATIONS IN A DESPERATE MOVE TO SMEAR THE FELLOW APPLICANTS. IT IS ALL LIES. WHAT A POLITICIAN. DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR.

Mary, check out the laws. Those properties the other two applicants have are zoned C-2 just like Kormans. If it is not this, it will be something else. Unless those properties are ever rezoned, you will always have that problem. You can have a number of business move build there and you would not be happy. There is a chance that this stores that could be built their would be "nice" package stores that attract "nice" people. Give it a rest.

@Jennifer, I'm well aware what that is zoned for. Doesn't mean I wouldn't fight something else I don't want in my backyard later down the road, either. Ill give it a rest like you suggested when it pertains to something I wouldn't have to look at from my bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom for the remainder of my life in this home. That's an easy thing to say, give it a rest, when you aren't directly affected by something. So give it a rest!

The mayor was quoted in one news article as stating that "experience" would play a factor in the decision. The council may use some type of rating/scoring system where factors such as financial standings, available capital, industry experience and location are rated/scored.

In my earlier post where I spoke of the lottery method - I do believe I prefaced that with "qualified lottery", meaning that applicants must meet the required qualifications and background requirements in order to be eligible for the lottery draw. Hence, it's not some "flippant" method of picking a Johhny off the street to run a liquor store. It is as efficient and safe as any other method, and the ONLY method which ensures NO political bias.

Where as residents consider this issue a very personal and emotional matter, and rightfully so; the applicants view this as a very serious business opportunity.

Business, as they say, is business; Applicants will look seriously at all C2/C3 areas for viable properties/land for the ideal location. In this industry, as long as the property complies with the state laws, they have likely satisfied the location objective for their business model.

It seems that the "super-store" model of package stores prevail in most of the Gwinnett cities - 12,000-14,000 square feet.

I don't know very much about the Dacula council; some councils are very pro-resident; some are very pro-business; some are half-n-half.

How would you describe Dacula's council?

R, Mary, and Michelle,

I live on Freemans Mill Rd and my family has lived here for over 50 years, I hope you are not suggesting that the people on Hurricane Shoals/Old Peachtree are entitled to not have a liquor store in their backyard yet I would be looking at one less than 200 feet away. And oh by the way, I have a son at Dacula Middle school and Korum's site is the only proposed site that is within walking distance from the Dacula school system, including sidewalks. As a member of the First Baptist Church on Winder Highway, this site is the biggest slap in the face to the City of Dacula voters (which I am assuming you are) being that it is barely over 2000 ft away from my church and so accesible to students of our school system.

Mmmmm, very interesting, it seems Ms. Peters that you live behind Mr. Thaakar's store. If that is the case you could not see Mr. Korom'soproposed location since as I recall behind the old Green Tea , there is a giant hill with a sewerage treatment plant on the top of it. Maybe you can see that. Pretty close friends with Mr. Thaakar I see.

I think the problem with Korom's building is that the building is zoned for multiple businesses. Even if he contracted for the entire space at some point he maydecide to down size and the landlord would be free to rent out the space he leaves.

Take a look at the photos I just uploaded at the top of this thread. Does it really make sense to build a new building in the middle of five church campuses, three schools and Rabbit Hill Park and leave this building empty in the middle of Dacula?

Someone mentioned a water/sewer problem with the building. Not so, a beverage store requires minimal water/sewer as does Advance Auto Parts and Rite Aid.

I'm not suggesting that any of the surroundings of the proposed locations are exempt from anything. A fact of living in close proximity to commercialized zoning areas is that you will always be dealing with many businesses seeking major-traffic driven markets.

Commercialization follows growth; these high traffic areas are what have attracted the applicants to the locations proposed. Demographics, traffic patterns, land strategies, state compliance and public relations are likely the business order of priority here

If it helps at all, I live in Grayson which is also a very small city. The new package store is a block away from the elementary school, two day-cares, a Baptist Church and you can literally spit on the lawn of the church next door; with a karate school two buildings away one the dead end road (in my old office building), there is no direction you can turn without a church, school or other family oriented business within earshot. There are also several neighborhoods just across the street as well; some residents had the same concerns expressed here, which are absolutely valid.

I believe I can accurately say that there has been no incident; the store runs very smoothly and has been a good neighbor to the community.

If the store is to be your new neighbor, it may not be the nightmare you fear.

Please understand, it is not my intention to minimize your concerns, only to offer a realistic view from a very similar city.

Mr. Korom,
I dream of a world where we can depend on logic, good sense, and all that is in the best interest at large for the right reasons; unfortunately, that utopia seems far from reach.

Based on my own experience, of all people - I certainly appreciate the nature of your proposal; it's basically identical to that of my former client in Grayson. Revitalized building, existing member of the community, and it seems you have the public's favor. It's a nicely wrapped package.

Having said that - I cannot fault the other applicants for pursuing viable business ventures or their selected locations when they do fall within C2/C3 zones, and meet state compliance (and it takes much reflection for me to admit that).

Believe me - I do relate completely to your feelings regarding outsiders who want to set-up shop in your city. It's not an easy pill to swallow. Logic often loses in politics; another pill so to speak.

Good luck to all and prayers to council with this decision.

Interesting quotes below from Patch Articles:
"The presentation, along with the application, will be scored by council members with a lower score indicating a higher ranking. City Administrator Jim Osborn explained the lowest scoring applicant will not necessarily be selected as the licensee. “But it will be a good indicator,” he said."

“This is just a way to take some of the subjectivity out,” Wilbanks explained. “The bottom line is [the council is] going to vote the way they want to.”

So
Who won it ??

Please tell us!

R,
My aren't we anxious :)
I don't think the meeting starts until 5pm today; and I believe there is a subsequent meeting tomorrow evening where the decision will be announced.