SHREVEPORT, Louisiana (KSLA) – According to some city council members, the city of Shreveport is overcrowded with liquor stores.
“Those are some of the things we’ve done in my district, and I think Councilwoman Bowman also pointed out that when we look at Queensborough, Allendale, Cedar Grove and MLK, we’re tired of seeing root beer in our neighborhoods. We want growth and development, but we don’t want that to be the only growth and development we see.”
District A Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor says her district has about nine stores within a five-mile radius that serve alcohol, but no grocery stores.
“There shouldn’t be nine stores selling alcohol in my community, but when I want a grocery store, I’m told it’s impossible because people need food to live,” Taylor said. “So you’re telling me that alcohol is worth more than fruits and vegetables and meat and potatoes? I don’t believe that.”
Residents of Shreveport’s MLK neighborhood told KLSA that a good grocery store nearby would suffice.
“We need another store on Cooper Road, like Low Mart. I’m not thinking about not having a liquor store. I’d just like to have another grocery store in the neighborhood where the kids can walk and where people who can walk can walk.”
Store owner Bernie Woods says liquor store oversaturation could potentially lead to even more stores closing.
“Tell the entire city council and the mayor that there are too many liquor stores in this city. There’s no way they’re all going to survive,” he said. “There’s no point in opening more and more and letting some close. You’re just going to have vacant buildings again.”
The MPC says it is open to any new ordinances the city may pass on the issue. KSLA has reached out to the MPC for comment, but we have not yet received a response.
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