Union Springs City Council Meeting - Liquor license denied for proposed Cuban Smoke Shop and Liquor Store on North Prairie

Staff Reports

The Union Springs City Council held its first April meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday in the County Commission Chambers of the Bullock County Courthouse. Before the official meeting, a public hearing was conducted regarding a Lounge Retail Liquor License application for the proposed “Cuban Smoke Shop and Liquor,” to be located at 216 North Prairie Street—just two doors north of City Hall and nearly across from the Bullock County Courthouse.

The two applicants addressed the Council first, clarifying that their original application mistakenly listed their business as a lounge. They explained that the establishment would not offer seating or on-premise consumption but instead operate as a retail-only liquor outlet.

During the public comment portion, Joyce Perrin, owner of the Josephine Art Café on North Prairie Street, was the first to speak. She provided each council member with a printed statement voicing her opposition. Perrin highlighted that Union Springs already has numerous access points for alcohol, including:

-5 lounges

-3 restaurants with bars

-1 private club

-1 State ABC Store

-2 package stores

Multiple grocery and convenience stores selling beer and wine

She expressed concern that another liquor outlet could exacerbate existing public safety issues, including regular gunfire in the downtown area, unregulated vehicle traffic (including four-wheelers and speeders), excessive noise disturbances, and recent violent incidents—all of which she noted have involved alcohol. She also reported that her customers have been harassed by intoxicated individuals near her café, which is just doors down from the existing ABC store.

Perrin stressed that the Union Springs Police Department is already understaffed and that adding another alcohol retail location would increase the burden on local law enforcement and compromise public safety—especially in an area frequented for essential services like vehicle registration and tax payments.

Mona Crawford, speaking on behalf of First Baptist Church of Union Springs, echoed these concerns. She noted that North Prairie is a walkable area and that the presence of another liquor outlet could pose risks for pedestrians and motorists alike, particularly if individuals under the influence frequent the area.

Additional names opposing the license were submitted to the City Clerk. With no further public comment, the hearing was closed. The council then opened its regular meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Stanley Cooks and Councilwoman LaTesha Howard were absent.

During the meeting, Councilman Louis Murry made a motion to approve the liquor license for the Cuban Smoke Shop and Liquor. The motion failed due to the lack of a second.

The agenda was then amended by Councilman Faulk and Murry. Items 2-Take home vehicles for all officers and 3-Declare the Hotbox as Surplus on GovDeal were removed, and Item 11-Hiring of two dispatchers was updated to reflect the hiring of one dispatcher. An additional item was added to schedule a meeting with East Alabama Mental Health.

Items 4-Declare the John Deere Tractor as Surplus on GovDeal, 5-Declare the old Backhoe as Surplus on GovDeal, and 6-Public Assembly Requests were approved. Items 7-Purchase six benches to go under the Newtown Park Pavilion, 8- Purchasing of Plaques for First responders and citizens, 9-Resignation of an officer, and item 10-Approval of Reimbursement from Consolidated Pipe and Supply Quote to Utility Board passed, with Councilman Faulk making the motion and Councilman Murry seconding.

Only two committees reported: Carla Elston for the County Extension Office and Beverly Grant for the Carnegie Library.

The Mayor also read a report submitted by the Bullock County Historical Society. All bills were approved for payment, and the council moved into executive session before adjourning the meeting.