PEORIA – Concerns over crime and proximity to child-focused spaces were some of the issues raised by Peoria’s Liquor Commission on Feb. 2 as it considered a site application for the sale of packaged alcohol at King Zone.
Representatives for the storefront – situated at 2411 N. Knoxville Ave. – sought to address and alleviate concerns.
Ultimately, however, the decision to recommend denial for the site was unanimous.
Multiple concerns raised over location
Commissioners and police voiced various concerns about the location – which was also recommended for denial in 2020.
Commissioner Chanel Hargrave-Murry said she worried about violence in the area and said alcohol can contribute to the issue. She also noted her concern over the store’s proximity to a school and children’s home.
A letter from Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria called this closeness to child-focused spaces “extremely worrisome.” It also said King Zone is situated near residential properties and is only a few feet away from the nearest home.
Echevarria’s letter said in part:
“Historically, liquor stores have led to an increase in crime, traffic, noise, litter and similar quality of life issues resulting in a general overall decline of a neighborhood, which would hinder the continued efforts to maintain this area of town into a stable and viable neighborhood.”
Echevarria said the store is between Peoria’s West Bluff and East Bluff – which include police districts 11 and 10, respectively. He said the Peoria Police Department received over 18,000 calls for service in the two districts from Jan. 1, 2025, to Jan. 14, 2026. The letter did not include information on how many calls were related to the location or business.
The addition of liquor to the area, Echevarria said, could “further strain police resources.”
Along with this, Echevarria’s letter said the department believed selling liquor at the location would cause “stress and frustration” for those living in the 100 block of West Beverly Court due to increased traffic and congestion along the one-way street.
No residents from the surrounding area were present at the Feb. 2 meeting to voice opposition or support for the proposed site.
Store ‘committed to being a responsible operator’
King Zone manager Godwin Techie and owner Mohammed Issa sought to address the various concerns raised by the commission.
Techie said the store would check IDs, keep alcohol locked away, install outdoor cameras and give police access to security footage.
Issa also brought a written response to the police department’s letter. It said King Zone is mindful of its neighbors and will take steps to prevent congestion issues and ensure sales are only made to those with proper ID.
It said the store is designed to be a quick, grab and go establishment. In response to concerns over congestion, the message said no seating or gathering spaces are available and loitering will not be tolerated.
Regarding calls to police, the message said King Zone does not intend to create additional traffic with the addition of liquor.
“Customers already frequent this location for groceries and take-out food,” the letter stated. “The addition of limited alcohol sales would simply allow existing customers to complete their shopping in one visit, rather than increasing overall foot traffic or congestion.”
Techie told commissioners the store is “struggling to stay in business” without alcohol.
Customers consistently ask for beer or liquor when visiting, Issa said. He said many leave without buying anything after learning the store does not carry alcohol.
The goal, Issa said, is to offer “one store for everything.”
Yet, commissioner Arius Hounwanou said he was not sure the location was needed. He also voiced concern over the hours alcohol would be available.
“You guys are open at 8 o’clock in the morning till 1 a.m.,” Hounwanou said. “I understand you’re going to take all those precaution(s), but the reality is at 8 o’clock if I walk into your establishment and I tell you I want to buy a beer, you will sell it to me because you are a business.”
Issa, however, said they would be willing to agree to different hours for alcohol sales. The letter provided to commissioners said the store would “comply with any reasonable conditions or operational requirements the city may deem appropriate.”
Along with this, Techie said the nearby Walgreens – which closed in early 2025 – opened at 7 a.m. and sold alcohol. He said people seeking alcohol will find a way to buy it, and the store can only focus on “what we’re supposed to do” to create a safe environment.
Issa’s letter echoed this sentiment, noting in part:
“While we cannot speak for other businesses, we can be fully accountable for how this business operates. We are committed to being a responsible operator and a positive addition to the neighborhood.”
Commissioners focus on site, rather than store
During the discussion, commissioner Timothy Spears said Issa and Techie were doing “all the right things.” Yet, he said this was not the primary factor for the commission to consider.
“What we’re deciding here today is strictly: Is the location appropriate for what’s being requested?” he said.
Spears said if the business closed after being granted site approval, the approval would remain. This, he said, could allow another business to open without the same precautions.
Techie said they own the property, however, so “any change is still going to come to us.”
Ultimately, the Peoria Liquor Commission voted 4-0 to recommend denial. The matter is now slated to go before the Peoria City Council for a final decision on Feb. 24.
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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Concerns raised over Peoria store’s request to sell packaged alcohol
Reporting by Cassidy Waigand, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
