applehazar

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.

Come on AA.com - where is the update to this story?

Lets Get Real

Fri, Dec 30, 2011 : 5:07 p.m.

Are they nuts? Costco has the best prices on beer, wine and liquor because they are one of the largest sellers of alcohol in the country thereby negotiating better purchase prices and lowering cost. The reasoning given in the article by the "officials" is flawed and inconsistent with their actions as cited by many other comments. Whatever their reason - be honest about what it is. Sounds like first come, first served - but I've go tnews for Target - when I think of a place to go to buy beer, wine and liquor, I don't think Target. I think of Target for clothes and household goods. Costco? Yes, because when I'm buying in quantity, which is the Costco model, I'm thinking friends over, party, holiday celebration and I'm thinking good price. Pittsfield needs to examine their criteria. Who is best suited to service the request - a business who devotes a whole section to alcohol in it's food section, or one that puts it in a corner as an afterthought? Makes me wonder if Pittsfield is holding out for an "incentive." I agree with the observation - hold the application over for a week and issue the license to them in 2012 as the first to apply rather than making this a news story. I'd like to see Costco put a FOR SALE sign out in front of the partially completed building. That might put a scare into the blind vision of this leadership.

debling

Fri, Dec 30, 2011 : 3:07 p.m.

Hey Governor Snyder, you want to help Michigan businesses in a free market way? Get rid of these archaic teetotaling liquor laws that restrict the number of licenses granted. Grant everyone (businesses, restaurants, private clubs, etc) who applies for it a liquor license and revoke only if they fail to abide by the conditions of having it. Our struggling restaurants will appreciate it! By the way as a bonus, you can get more fees and sales tax money too! Win - Win for all!

Halter

Fri, Dec 30, 2011 : 2:39 a.m.

This is just a politics story that shouldn't have even been picked up by the media -- I assure you that Costco will have a license to sell liquor by the time they open: they sell huge quantities of beer and wine in their stores.

Sparty

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 7:30 p.m.

This makes as much sense as Pittsfield Twp's decision on the Muslim School ... which has led it to a huge very expensive lawsuit, likely to lead to a multi-million dollar loss, payable by the citizens of - you got it, Pittsfield Twp. You go, Ms. Grewal.

dogpaddle

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 6:56 p.m.

This is when I feel like an old-fashioned libertarian (not the kind that some have morphed into - after all, you can't have it both ways). Here is where we really need government and their services: making sure our garbage is picked up; making sure were have sufficient police, fire department, roads and meeting other city services. It's even prudent to have restrictions on places like Target and Costco and Meijer being able to open in certain places (after all, a quiet residential neighborhood should stay that way), but this is just where it gets to be too much. Seriously, whether Carpenter Road or Ann Arbor/Saline or any other area where it's business/industrial and places like Target, Meijer and Costco already exist, then, really, what is the problem with any of them selling the products you expect them to carry. I don't want a store in my back yard. I don't live on Carpenter Rd (or State St.). If you live near a busy street and choose a residence within 100 feet of a big store, then be okay with what they sell. If Meijer at either location can sell liquor, then by all means, so should both Targets and Costco. That's just silly. Talk about policies that hurt business and growth.

81wolverine

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 6:48 p.m.

"The Target at 3749 Carpenter Road was denied because it's located within 500 feet of a residential area," said Mandy Grewal. That's completely illogical given that the Meijer's practically next-door sells liquor and the Target on Water's Road is clearly within 500 feet of a residential neighborhood. The real reason is obviously that Pittsfield only gets one license to grant a year. Maybe Ms. Grewal was just making up a reason that might sound better than "we flipped a coin and the Water's Road store won."

javajolt1

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 6:11 p.m.

Seriously? What would be the point of preventing Costco from selling liquor when it is sold on just about every street corner in Pittsfield Township? I'll bet Costco is soooo happy with its decision to build a store there now.

A2WS1

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 6:06 p.m.

Ms. Grewal has bent over backwards to get Costco in Pittsfield. She'll find a way to get them a liquor license. Maybe the city should just annex everything north of Ellsworth in this area. It's bounded by city to the north and east and the airport to the south.

Goober

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 5:18 p.m.

Just like the movie............Dumb and Dumber!

Trouble

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 3:50 p.m.

Don't screw with Costco! They've been known to " bite back ".

Plubius

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 3:47 p.m.

The state should eliminate the entire notion of liquor licenses. What utter nonsense.

Peter

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 3:43 p.m.

Hey, the liquor board's gotta keep that supply artificially low to keep their revenues up! It's the free market at work!

ksr48

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.

The state sets the guidelines and law for liquor licenses, not a township. State issues one per year to local governments and it applies to "hard liquor" and not beer/wine, I think. Different laws apply to each type. Folks that are upset they can't buy whiskey at Costco in 2011 need to get a life. Store isn't even built yet and there are many other options to get your binge on. I think it is a good idea to give a preference to existing businesses and not roll over and hand out everything to Costco. Target has been here for years.

justcause

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 2:34 p.m.

I love the attacks on the current administration and the township itself over a liquor license. Wasn't it just a few years ago that the former administration was banking on Walmart as the center of a "Downtown Pittsfield"? That worked well, didn't it? 6 empty storefronts and a major restaurant chain that never materialized. Thank goodness Costco has decided to build within the township. The property behind Tyner's was an eyesore left over from the distant, but fun, 80's.

A2James

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 2:31 p.m.

The Target on Carpenter already sells wine, and has done so for awhile. So...they don't have or need a liquor license to do that?

Karen

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 1:37 p.m.

So...are there any existing party stores in local neighborhoods in Pittsfield? Because if so, then they need to be closed immediately. "One liquor license" for the whole of Pittsfield county? What kind of rinky-dink place is Pittsfield? Clearly, they only need one large box store then so Costco should immediately abandon plans to continue to build their store and move their business to a more friendly township.

David Briegel

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 1:30 p.m.

Our prudish laws about liquor are just patently absurd! And to treat Costco in such a manner is just awful! Just get that bootheel of your evil big gubbermint off the neck of the people! Most of these laws date back to the 19th century let alone the 20th century! A prudish version of a "Christian" nation that never really existed. I just wish the "free marketeers" really believed in that pablum they spew.

motorcycleminer

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 12:01 p.m.

Considering you can buy liquor at any stop and rob this is just petty politics at its finest...one must remember how this crew got into office in the first place fighting the wal-mart because it was in their megabuck homes back yard... also interesting that they gave themselves a week plus ( paid i'm sure ) vacation over the holidays and closed the tswp. offices...looks alot like washington to me...

Les Gov

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 11:48 a.m.

What is it with the so called Authorities of Pittsfield Twp....can't they ever be honest? Lets look at what was said in this article. "The Target at 3749 Carpenter Road was denied because it's located within 500 feet of a residential area, said Mandy Grewal, Township Supervisor." Now do a Google Map view of the Target on Waters.....that neighborhood in the back of Target must be within 500 feet, or even less....what makes the Neighborhood on Waters less important than the Neighborhood near Carpenter? The rules in Pittsfield Twp are all just made up....or....is this article wrong?

A2comments

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 11:32 a.m.

Target on Carpenter is 100 yards from Meijer... Costco has to reapply "next year", although they aren't opening until summer. Couldn't table app for a week? Silly process...