The Pasco County Commission unanimously approved a new liquor store in Land O’ Lakes, despite objections by a competitor.
Party Liquors & Fine Wines plans to open a store in the shopping center at the northeast corner of State Road 54 and Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.
The 11,250-square-foot store will sell package beer, wine and liquor at the location, 2410 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
It would be the company’s third store, according to Nick Tanoukhi, the store’s owner.
Tanoukhi said he expects to hire 10 full-time and 15 part-time employees.
Joseph Nahas, of TJ Liquor, located on U.S. 41, objected to the proposed liquor store.
Nahas noted there are nine liquor stores within a 5-mile radius and said there’s not enough of a market to support the additional store.
Nahas said the new store might not add anything to the community, but could harm his business.
An area resident also questioned the location of the new liquor store, noting it was within 1,000 feet of a school and a church.
But county planners, who recommended approval of the request, said the distance requirement previously had been waived for another business in the shopping center. So, that provision does not apply in this case.
Tanoukhi said Land O’ Lakes residents will benefit from the store because it will offer better prices.
Pasco County attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder told commissioners that the county’s criteria for granting conditional use permits does not address the issue of competition.
“Generally, the way the code works is, it’s a free market system,” Steinsnyder said.
Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she has a bias against big corporations wiping out mom and pop operations. But in this case, she said, the new liquor store is not a large corporation.
Starkey said the best way that competitors can retain their business is to offer excellent customer service.
Published February 4, 2015
