Why all the fuss about an ABC Liquor store in Oviedo?

I'm curious as to why it was such a big deal to allow ABC Liquor to put a store near Oviedo Mall. The Oveido Chili's serves liquor, what's the big deal? Since when were liquor stores a problem. Last I heard, Oviedo was not a dry county? Any insight and comments would be appreciated, and may be used as research for a news article.
Joe

I don't know why the forum says I'm from Lakeland. I am a free lance reporter who writes for the Oviedo Voice and lives in Lake Mary

I dont know what the fuss was about either-what we DO need in Oviedo is a HOSPITAL for the people of Oviedo and surrounding areas that are growing in leaps and bounds-Oh and some nice restaraunts instead of fast food joints and most importantly JOBS in Oviedo

ABC liquor stores are usually located in less than desirable neighborhoods and arent exactly the nicest looking stores with their large sinage. Before you know it they will be putting in a pawn shop in across the street and a check cashing store.

all the dumpy towns have an ABC Liquor stores. ABC liquor is synonomis with drunken bums hanging on street corners.

I can't understand why people today are so high horsed. I am a wine drinker...and so was YOUR "J" or your or Lord. ABC is just another curb side vender in this and most of the Florida towns. None of which have all that clean of a record. So get off your high box.

Doug.

I like beer. im not a drunk or homeless. Abc has a large selection of microbrewed beers. What is the problem? By the way Mary, pawn shops have a great selection of fun and interesting stuff, including musical instruments. Check cashing stores serve a useful purpose and my electric company in a very expensive apt. complex makes me use them to pay bills. Your making alot assumptions that really make you look foolish. Next I'm sure you will be saying that we shouldn't have southern food restaurants because black people would begin to congregate there. Assumptions is a sign of ignorance, ignorance leads segregation and fear.

jason I am not making any assumptions I am making a statement based on observations seen throughout other towns in Central Florida. I agree that pawn shops carry some interesting items, and I'm sure just because you like to drink beer that doesn't make you a drunk. But...ABC liquor locations are synonomis with less than desirable locations and that is not the image the residents of Oviedo are striving for. Just like Walmart, ABC liquor will not be well received by Oviedoins

ABC carriers my favorite top shelf scotch. Jhonnie Walker Blue Label at a very reasonable price. Why should I drive to the ABC liquor next to the Winter Park village if there can be a location as convenient as Oviedo.

I don't know which ABC Liquor stores you are referinbg to as being in "less than desirable neighborhoods" or having "drunken bums hanging on street corners". Our local ABC is very clean, well lit and offers a great selection of top shelf alcohol. I have NEVER seen drunken bums hanging around it. Most of the people I see "hanging around" are upper middle class and upper class retirees and snow birds. Maybe a pawnshop would be a good idea too. 1/3 of our population has no credit card or access to banking. It might really serve the needs of the community. The larger chain pawnshops are also clean, well lit and operated by friendly people that offer a product that is desired by many. I personally like to visit some of them when I can to pick up expensive tools and jewelry for a fraction of what I would pay at the Mall or Home Depot, and they even guarantee the products for 30 days (Cash America) Perhaps more of you need to turn off the TV, get off the couch and visit areas other than the mall. You might be surprised how different the real world is when compared to you myopic and outdated views.

Guys, not all dumpy towns have ABC liquor stores. Its not the store that brings the "drunken bums" its the location. Down in South Florida there are several ABC stores located in upscale neighborhoods and you dont see the same type of customers you see in downtown Orlando, for instance. However, chances are that an ABC in Oviedo (which is still the boondocks) will probably bring in undesirable clientele and underage students from neighboring towns.

I live in an area of Miami that most Oviedoans WISH they could afford. And there's an ABC store in our neighborhood. Mark...you're right. They have the best price on Johnny Walker Blue. As a matter of fact, some of the "better" liquor stores in Orlando don't even carry it. And a lot of those uppity Oviedo residents wouldn't know about it. What makes Oviedo so special? I grew up in Central Florida. While Oviedo is nice...there was a time you didn't WANT to tell people you lived there. It was often referred to as the land of "trailer-park-white-trash " and "Duda Darkies". PLEASE! Before anyone starts responding...let me say that I don't agree with either phrase. I'm just sharing history. The man who started the ABC's in Orlando donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to charity. I'll bet not one of the residents would have refused to take his checks for their favorite.
Get over yourselves...instead of looking down your nose at those less fortunate than you...get out of your walled-in, security-gated houses...get into your Mercedes...drive down to the Coalition For The Homeless and get your spirits lifted by doing something useful!

mark wrote:

ABC carriers my favorite top shelf scotch. Jhonnie Walker Blue Label at a very reasonable price. Why should I drive to the ABC liquor next to the Winter Park village if there can be a location as convenient as Oviedo.

Mark...someone will likely complain about my post...so I thought I would share it with you...

I live in an area of Miami that most Oviedoans WISH they could afford. And there's an ABC store in our neighborhood. Mark...you're right. They have the best price on Johnny Walker Blue. As a matter of fact, some of the "better" liquor stores in Orlando don't even carry it. And a lot of those uppity Oviedo residents wouldn't know about it. What makes Oviedo so special? I grew up in Central Florida. While Oviedo is nice...there was a time you didn't WANT to tell people you lived there. It was often referred to as the land of "trailer-park-white-trash " and "Duda Darkies". PLEASE! Before anyone starts responding...let me say that I don't agree with either phrase. I'm just sharing history. The man who started the ABC's in Orlando donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to charity. I'll bet not one of the residents would have refused to take his checks for their favorite.
Get over yourselves...instead of looking down your nose at those less fortunate than you...get out of your walled-in, security-gated houses...get into your Mercedes...drive down to the Coalition For The Homeless and get your spirits lifted by doing something useful!

I noticed that all of you who are in favor of an ABC Liquor store do not currently live in Oviedo, nor do you pay city taxes.

We all love the ABC stores and there lounges, hey the drinkers need some where to go, instead of driving miles to a bar, why not one in Oviedo? People need to get off there high horse of society, go to Orlando if you want a high brow BAR, and a bar is a bar, no matter if it is All In The Family dive in Longwood,where they smoke stuff out back, or a nice Bar in a nice Hotel in Disney, there all BARS!!!!!!!!!!

Mary,

I believe what the fine people on this page are trying to say is that just becuase there is a well known liquor store coming to town does not mean that the city is going to diminish in any way. A strip club, maybe. But not a well established liquor store such as ABC. Look at the ABC in College Park or Winter Park. It completely depends on the people that populate the city, not the retail stores. I do however commend you for your efforts in this battle, however I feel your debat skills and time would be better served in something of importance. I would recommend if you want to preserve the way of life in Oviedo to start speaking to the Governer about possibly coming through with his promise to lower property taxes and insurance. This would allow each current and future resident to save money so that they can afford to go to ABC and reward themselves for their hard work in this journey we call life. See this is a battle of importance that can effect the entire state, not just the little city of Oviedo. I raise my glass and toast you all filled with my champaign I purchased at my neighborhood ABC.

Josh thank you for your view. I guess we will have to agree to disagree. Now, you may want to flame me for this, but I just can't help myself. It is spelled champagne, not champaign.

[quote]"The Oveido Chili's serves liquor, what's the big deal?"[/quote]

Yeah, but when was the last time you heard of a holdup at Chili's?

[i]"JACKSONVILLE, FL, 6/5/2007 -- The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is looking for at least two suspects in an armed robbery of a Westside liquor store.
The robbery happened at the ABC Fine Wine & Spirits store on McDuff Avenue Monday.
Two men walked into the store demanding money from the registers. One of the suspects fired a gun inside the store.[/i] Crimestoppers.com

[i]"And of course, you've got the investigation going on in Montgomery, Alabama, where they're now going to be charged with capital murder for the shooting death and robbery at an ABC Liquor Store."[/i] CNN.com

[i]"In his interview with the police, Oats also admitted his involvement in an ABC liquor store robbery and shooting one day prior to the robbery and murder of Jeanette Dyer."[/i]Legal File

[i]"On January 12 around 7:45 p.m., the ABC liquor store at 6230-J North Kings Highway was robbed. A man entered the store armed with a shotgun and robbed two employees and fled with an undisclosed amount of money."[/i] Police Department News Release (Va.)

I googled '"ABC Liqour Store" crime' and came up with 826 direct hits.
I googled a few more Oviedo establishments that sell alcohol - Publix, Chili's, Albertsons - and came up with absolutely no negative articles relating to violent crime of the nature that ABC Liqour Store seems to attract.

I don't want this in my backyard - do you?

Why on earth would anyone say that an ABC store would give Oviwedo a "lowlife" status?
For crying out loud, there is (or was, not long ago!) at least one GOAT FARM there!.
I know, I know ..... ALL the upscale neighborhoods have goat farms, right? And in Oviedo, you ain't NOTHING if you don't own a goat farm, eh? Sheesh ......:ox

well us goat farmers dont like drunks.