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Single-sale ban of beer, ale now affects D.C. Ward 4
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WASHINGTON (Map, News) - For residents of one D.C. ward, buying a beer from the corner store now requires a jaunt across the border.
Most Ward 4 alcoholic beverage retailers were told last week to stop selling individual containers of beer, malt liquor or ale. A three-year-old District law, its implementation held up due to court action, is “now in effect” but will not be enforced until Aug. 1, according to the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration.
The single-sale blackout, the brainchild of Mayor Adrian Fenty when he served as the Ward 4 D.C. Council member, has been a long time coming. Originally approved in 2004, the prohibition was the subject of a federal lawsuit filed by the owner of Decatur Liquors, a Petworth retailer, that wound through years of litigation before it was dismissed in May.
“I bought them three years,” said Paul Pascal, Decatur Liquors’ attorney and president of the D.C. Association of Beverage Alcohol Wholesalers. A judge’s injunction that previously prevented ABRA from enforcing the law has been lifted, and retailers within the so-called Targeted Ward 4 Moratorium Zone will be required to comply, agency Executive Director Maria Delaney told all impacted businesses in a June 14 letter.
Decatur owner John Wilson has since refiled his suit in D.C. Superior Court. Pascal said he might ask for a new injunction if the parties can’t agree to delay implementation while the case is before a judge.
The Ward 4 law expires Sept. 30, 2008, thanks to a four-year sunset. But Ward 4 Council Member Muriel Bowser said she would introduce legislation to extend the ban, which she called a “useful tool” in combating noise, litter and disorderly conduct.
“I’m glad our ward is on the forefront on this issue,” Bowser said. “We want to make sure all of our businesses are being good neighbors.” Opponents argue the bans unfairly target small retailers who depend on single sales for much of their business.
Restrictions already are in place in Mount Pleasant and Adams Morgan. The H Street Northeast corridor is expected to join the list soon.
mneibauer@dcexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
8:42 PM MST on Fri., Jun. 20, 2008 re: "Drug expert warns of booze-filled flip-flops"
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Examiner Reader said:
So officials think kids are going to bring these to the beach and do what? Get slightly buzzed? For these to become remotely dangerous someone would have to be carrying around a backpack full of sandals.
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Rocko the Magnificent said:
Why would you want to drink something that comes out of your shoe? That is disgusting.
6 agree | 5 disagree
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Rocko the Magnificent said:
Can't the drunks in Carroll County do a little pre-planning and go to the liquor store on Saturday?
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Examiner Reader said:
Thank You for the information. Kathleen School Nurse
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