Nuisance liquor store loses ability to sell alcohol

Mike’s Liquor has been the subject of complaints and has a history of code violations, according to city records. (Photo by Vincent Medina)

NORWALK – After repeated warnings and notices, the Norwalk Planning Commission voted to terminate the nonconforming use of alcohol sales at Mike’s Liquor during a special meeting Wednesday evening.

Mike’s Liquor has a history of violations, including the sale of alcohol to minors, an employee engaging in a drug sale, failure to abide by commercial enhancement notice, allowing public intoxication and illegal dumpings.

The store, located at 14408 Pioneer Blvd., has also refused to cooperate with public nuisance notices and community enhancement notices.

Economic Development Manager Beth Chow presented photographic evidence showing the store’s trash enclosure was storing miscellaneous items and was used for transients to sleep.

“The HOPE team observed an individual use a key to unlock the enclosure and use sleep in there,” described Chow.

The business owners Yong Jae Kwak and ASP Sun Jong Hong attempted to make the case they were unaware of their wrongdoing and that the transients in the area were not their fault.

“I acknowledge that there are homeless people who come to the store or stay around the property and I know the city is putting in a lot of effort to solve this problem,” said Hong. “However, there are an increasing number of homeless people in the city, state, and the whole nation is suffering from this issue.”

Mike’s Liquor owners also tried to present a petition to protest the termination of their alcohol sales. The owners also asked for an extension on the issue to receive legal counsel.

Despite the city attorney advising the commissioners to allow the extension, the planning commission passed the resolution to revoke their nonconforming use of alcohol sales.