WHEREAS, The term Stop-N-Go loosely refers to a delicatessen-style business where patrons commonly purchase alcoholic beverages and food for consumption off premises; and
WHEREAS, Any establishment selling alcoholic beverages must comply with the guidelines put in place by the Pennsylvania Liquor Code and Liquor Control Board; and
WHEREAS, In order to qualify for a restaurant liquor license issued by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the establishment must be a reputable place habitually and principally used for the purpose of providing food for the public, have serving areas within a building of not less than 400 square feet; and be equipped with tables and chairs to accommodate at least 30 persons at one time; and
WHEREAS, Three agencies in Philadelphia have jurisdiction to investigate allegations of misconduct by liquor licensees: the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections; and
WHEREAS, Many of the restaurant liquor code violations of stop-n-gos involve tables and chairs not readily available to the public, minimal or no food service, sales to minors, and open on Sundays without a Sunday sales permit. Additionally, restroom facilities are often not accessible to customers; and
WHEREAS, An initial investigation in one council district found that 26 percent of the establishments sell liquor by the drink, nearly 90 percent do not sell food; and
WHEREAS, Among 27 stop-n-go establishments in the same council district, the average time from one location to the next was three minutes; and
WHEREAS, Research has shown that stop-n-gos tend to be concentrated in minority and lower-income neighborhoods, becoming a haven for criminal activity and adversely affecting the health, safety, and well-being of the surrounding community; and
WHEREAS,The City of Philadelphia should also explore the certificate of occupancy and health requirements to determine if violations based on the state license can lead to cease operations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the joint Committees on Public Health and Human Services and Licenses and Inspections hold hearings and further calling on the Department of Licenses and Inspections, Department of Health, and Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to investigate “stop-n-go” establishments that violate restaurant liquor license requirements.
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