Market Loses Bid for Liquor Permit : South-Central: Neighborhood block groups celebrate Planning Commission’s ruling. The store’s manager calls the decision unfair and racist.

Residents are hailing the city Planning Commission’s decision to deny a market a permit to sell beer and wine as a victory in an ongoing campaign to reduce the number of South-Central liquor outlets.

The Planning Commission on Jan. 7 denied a liquor sales permit for the 7 Days Market at 6225 S. Figueroa St., saying that there is a proliferation of liquor stores in the area and that liquor sales at the mini-market pose a threat to public safety, said Eric Ritter, a hearing examiner for the Planning Commission who oversaw the case.

“For decades, liquor stores have been allowed to spread throughout our community without regard to the human misery they can cause,” said City Councilwoman Rita Walters, whose 9th District includes the 7 Days Market. “Now, finally, the Planning Commission has heard our protest and voted down a new permit.”

But James Chung, who manages the three-year-old market for his sister-in-law, called the Planning Commission’s denial unfair and racist against Koreans. He said he would appeal the decision on behalf of the owner. Chung said he needs liquor sales to help repay $70,000 he borrowed to repair and restock the store, which was damaged during the spring riots.

“It is crucial for a small store like this to sell beer and wine,” Chung said. “We need the profit.”

Chung said alcohol sales would not encourage loitering or more serious crimes. He added that children would not be hurt by seeing alcohol used near his market, though residents argue otherwise.

“(The children) already see a lot worse,” Chung said. “They see their mom and dad smoke dope--weed and crack.”

Unlike recent efforts by organized activists and local politicians, the fight to prevent liquor sales at the market began with two block clubs that sought to improve the quality of life in their neighborhood.

The effort began in early October, when members of the Gage Avenue and the 61st Street block clubs received letters from the Planning Commission regarding the request for a liquor permit.

Mary Lydia, a 25-year resident of the area who lives a block from the market, said she and other block club members feared alcohol sales would encourage crime and loitering.

Ada Beard, who has lived in the area 40 years, said she worried about children from the nearby 61st Street Elementary School passing by loiterers on their way to buy candy at the market.

The campaign of the two block clubs, which have a total of 50 members, included chartering a bus to take more than 40 residents to Planning Commission hearings and a door-to-door petition drive that gathered 250 signatures against the liquor permit.

“We as a community support the store,” Lydia said. “We have nothing against the owner making a decent living. But we just don’t want beer and wine.”

Beard and other residents said their victory proves that community involvement can make a difference.

“We can win if we get together and cooperate,” Beard said. “We don’t have to take everything people throw at us.”

In other action on Jan. 7, the Planning Commission approved the reopening of the following alcoholic beverage establishments:

* Sunrise Market, 11202 S. Central Ave.

* Century Liquor Store, 2115 W. Jefferson Blvd.

* Sorbonne Market, 3607 S. Vermont Ave.

* Gage Liquor, 6220 S. San Pedro St.

* Steve’s Liquor, 1501 E. 22nd St.