My kiddie-corner neighbor, Walgreens, has been before the local liquor commission of late. Denied a license to sell booze. And is now appealing the denial. They are in negotiations, so to speak, with the local police commander, Christopher Kennedy. They're intent on selling booze at Roosevelt and State. Have been for well over a year now. And while the alderman doesn't want to interfere with commerce, hurt local business or otherwise put a wrench into free enterprise, he does expect some clean up and cooperation at the Walgreens corner before letting them gallavant off in a new profitable alcohol venture. But so far, Walgreens hasn't done a thing.

For starters, they should change the faded banners, says Second Ward Alderman Bob Fioretti. And install security for the first three months of any proposed liquor sales--on the recommendation of the police commander--to quell any unforeseen trouble. Fioretti says Walgreens has covered up their windows and has turned a blind eye to the goings on outside, when they should be engaging significantly with the neighborhood, the businesses and the tranportation hub out their door. Who knew?

"We're just looking for leadership from Walgreens," says Fioretti. "We need another level of security--that's why the local police are asking for three months worth. It's been a long term struggle with them to get them to do the right thing."

Fioretti says there are lingering problems at the corner. Loitering, for example. He says if Walgreen's would spruce up its corner, it would go a long way to making the corner look "not so run down." (I must say that when given the choice, I have been walking down 11th and 13th Streets instead of Roosevelt lately--and I didn't know why. I guess I was subliminally registering the unpleasantness.)

Fioretti says there are problems all around that corner that aren't conducive to a safe and wholesome neighborhood. And Walgreens should participate in fixing those problems before concentrating on the wine, beer and spirits. "They should set the tone," says Fioretti.

The alderman says he's been fighting these kinds of fights in the ward all along. It was hard, he explains, but he closed bad neighbor Willis Liquor down at Madison and Francisco. And he's trying his best to straighten out a problem spot on Western between Jackson and Adams, too.

What can you do? Testify. What should Walgreens do before they do the liquor? You can tell the powers that be. There will be a full day hearing before the local liquor commission on Tuesday, November 1 at the Daley Center, Lower Level Room 02. Come tell them.

---

By Catherine from Printers Row
Posted: 10/07/2011 12:44 PM

Walgreens is a bad and unresponsive neighbor in my past experience with them. I avoid that corner. Don't the residents have anything to say about liquor licenses?

---

By Vee from South Loop
Posted: 10/07/2011 9:14 AM

There's not enough quick-access parking on that block to support the additional traffic that would result from liquor sales at Walgreens. In addition, there's enough trouble on that corner as it is.

---

By FGFM from South Loop
Posted: 10/07/2011 8:31 AM

Doesn't Jewel and Trader Joe's sell booze? Let my people drink.

---

By Connie from south loop
Posted: 10/06/2011 11:49 PM

Bonnie, I guess I find myself doing the same thing, avoiding that corner. I guess the Alderman does know more than I do. And that means how to control the uncontrollable corner of transients around the store. What he says makes sense, no liquor license unless....... You, of all people who lives so close. It is much better to take care of it now, until it gets way out of hand.