SEAL BEACH : Council OKs 2 A.M. Closing for Store

John’s Food King, a Main Street grocery store that has served the Old Town neighborhood for nearly half a century, received City Council approval this week to remain open until 2 a.m.

Monday’s decision came over the objections of several Old Town residents and one council member who argued that an earlier closing time should be mandated for a store so near homes.

The action also sustains a January Planning Commission decision that granted John’s Food King the 2 a.m. closing time. Councilwoman Marilyn Bruce Hastings appealed the commission judgment, sending the issue to the council for a final vote.

The hours were set when Food King’s owner applied for a conditional-use permit, which is required for many businesses operating in the city.

The market now closes at 8 p.m. in the winter and 9 p.m. in the summer. Owner Don Davis said he has no immediate plans to extend hours. Having the option of remaining open later gives him more flexibility if customers express an interest in late-night shopping, he said.

“We run a store that respects our local community,” he said. “We are a good neighbor.”

Davis and others pointed out that several Main Street liquor stores as well as the nearby Vons Pavilions supermarket are allowed to remain open until midnight and beyond.

“If you have a grocery store in Seal Beach, you should have the right to stay open as long as anyone else,” said Planning Commissioner Anton Dahlman, who spoke at the meeting.

The council majority seemed convinced by that argument and by the fact that no one has complained about noise or other problems at Food King.

“I can’t see how this will be much of a burden on Old Town,” Mayor Gwen Forsythe said. “I think the Planning Commission did a good job on this one.”

Hastings and Councilman Frank Laszlo disagreed. Hastings pointed out that unlike the Vons Pavilions supermarket that is situated within a shopping center, Food King is located next to a residential area.

In the end, Hastings and Laszlo voted against the hours. Forsythe, Councilman William J. Doane and Councilman George Brown voted for them.