Omaha council delays Shankar Food Mart liquor-license decision after neighborhood objections

The Omaha City Council voted 6-0 to lay over consideration of a Class D liquor license for Shankar Food Mart at 822 North 40th Street for one week, after neighborhood representatives requested restrictions on certain single-serve alcohol sales and the applicant’s attorney said the client was willing to stipulate to many of those limits.

Attorney Harry Perdersch said his client did not intend the store to become a neighborhood liquor outlet and that the owner wanted to add convenience products rather than focus on alcohol sales. “His focus would not be on alcohol. He just simply wishes to, augment his existing product lines,” Perdersch said.

Councilmember Begley, representing the district where the store is located, summarized concerns in a written opposition letter from the Castle Neighborhood Association and asked whether the applicant would accept conditions excluding “small airplane shooters and single beer cans of 32 ounces or smaller.” Perdersch said he would like to confirm with his client but believed the client would stipulate to those restrictions or would not oppose council imposing them.

Begley moved to lay the item over for a week so the applicant could be present and discuss the proposed restrictions directly with neighborhood representatives; the motion passed 6-0 on roll call (Councilmember Hugg was recorded absent for the vote).

The council asked the applicant to appear at the next meeting and encouraged a pre-meeting between the applicant and neighborhood leadership to avoid miscommunication.