"High End Liquor Store" Proposed for 12th and U Streets

Tucker Gallagher, a 28-year resident of the U Street area, plans to open up a "high end liquor store" near the corner of 12th and U Streets NW. Gallagher came before the liquor licensing affairs committee of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 1B/U Street last night (July 16) to give a preliminary briefing on the project.

1939 12th Street

Gallagher told the committee he had "reached an agreement" with the landlord of 1939 12th Street, a few steps south of U Street. The planned store will open in a vacant storefront next to a Menchie's Frozen Yogurt shop.

The store will sell locally-sourced beers and liquors, including bourbons, vodkas, and ciders. It will also sell organically grown wines.

The liquor store will require a Class A license from DC's Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA). Class A licenses are for liquor stores and wholesalers.

There was some discussion about whether Gallagher might have trouble getting a liquor license due to a perceived "overconcentration" of liquor stores in the area. The nearest Class A licensee is located on 14th Street, just north of U Street, across from the Reeves Center.

There is a Class B liquor licensee, Eleven Market, on 11th and U. (Class B licenses allow grocery stores and wholesalers to sell beer and wine only.) Eleven Market briefed the ANC liquor liquor licensing affairs committee last month (see SALM blog post of June 24) on plans to convert to a liquor store with a Class A license.

ABRA told Gallagher that Eleven Market had not yet submitted their application for a conversion to Class A license. If there is a determination that there is an overconcentration of liquor stores in the area, it is possible that the later of the two licensees (i.e., Eleven Market) will be the one to lose out.

Gallagher told the committee he has no experience with a business that required a liquor license. Online information shows that Gallagher was the marketing manager at the national office of AARP, a realtor, a blogger, and an unsuccessful candidate for ANC1B.

Gallagher said he plans to employ staff with experience, including someone who had worked at Archibald's (1520 K Street).

An official placard announcing the request for a liquor license has not appeared at the proposed location of the store. Once a placard appears, there is a 45-day waiting period for public comment and protest.

Gallagher's presentation was purely informational. There was no request for ANC1B support at this time.