Neighbors say amount of liquor stores coming to Fayetteville is too much. ‘It’s not OK.’

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — Fayetteville homeowners say they do not want a liquor store coming to their neighborhood.

The store is being built just a few feet from homes, and a lot of people are not happy about it.

Neighbors told Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln that a total of seven new liquor stores are planning to open in the city.

The sites are currently marked by “for sale” signs and are empty lots or developed grounds.

“We shouldn’t have that many liquor stores in one area,” said John Richardson, who lives in the area. “It’s not OK”

Some Fayetteville neighbors say they have concerns about the volume of new liquor stores planning to open in the city. The seven approved sites are all less than two miles from one another.

Homeowners living in the Argonne Forrest South neighborhood say while they’re not against liquor stores in business areas and strip malls the location on New Hope Road and Highway 314 is cause for concern.

“The liquor store is on the corner of two very quiet, nice neighborhoods,” neighbor Patrice Hobson said.

She told Lincoln that she fears the store will impact property values and crime.

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“It’s an eyesore, it’s a nuisance as well,” said Carol Key, who lives in Fayetteville.

Mayor Edward Johnson told Lincoln over the phone they didn’t anticipate the onslaught of investor interest to build liquor stores in the city.

The City of Fayetteville was a dry city until people there voted to pour up last year, allowing for the sale of alcohol.

“The floodgates became open, and we had four or five developers wanting to immediately open package stores,” Johnson said. “The developer meets all of the conditions and requirements, so we cannot stop him.”

Neighbors told Johnson they were not notified by city leaders about the incoming liquor store.

“We post online, we have public comment at every meeting and every planning and zoning meeting,” Johnson said.

“They’re not concerned about how the people here in the town feel about it,” Richardson said.

Johnson said they have issued a moratorium on liquor store applications because of the amount and complaints coming from neighbors.

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