We're Interested in Any Protest Action Regarding Excello

Ms. White sends the following in response to last week's articles about Excello...

My boyfriend and I are very new to the area, having just purchased a house across the street. I was very interested in any protest action that might be forming with regards to the liquor store. That liquor store is directly across the street and has been a sore spot for us since we moved in. I'm not sure what sort of information or effort I can provide, but it is definitely in my best interest, as well as the overall neighborhood's, to have something done!

We're in the process of extensive renovations, and the neighbors have had to deal with the noise and eyesore of the backyard, but when it's all done, I plan to bring some landscaping and curb appeal to the corner of 13th and Duncan. In doing so, my ongoing concern is the people who frequent Excello.

On any given night, we have three or more people sitting on my front steps, standing against my fence, and leaving various empty beer bottles and food wrappers. The mess they leave is only one facet of the problem. We simply don't want people loitering on our property, which they do because of its close proximity to the liquor store across the street.

I can vouch for the fact that Excello sells singles. I see the empties all over my lawn. Two weeks ago, a construction crew sat on my back steps and proceeded to drink two 24-ounce Icehouse beers apiece. They were nice enough to put them in my trash can, but it was eight in the morning and I had strangers drinking beer on my steps.

As for sweeping the front of the walk, I do see someone out there sweeping each morning in front of Excello. As far as I can tell, nothing has been done regarding the loitering. If the people aren't standing right outside Excello, they simply cross 13th Street and set up camp on my front steps. That doesn't really solve the problem of loitering and trash at all, and puts it squarely in my proverbial backyard.

Over the last few weeks I've had to clean up chicken bones, various alcohol bottles, broken glass and food wrappers. This isn't something I want to contend with, particularly after I've invested a substantial amount of money into new fencing and landscaping (due to happen this summer).

Lastly, has anyone approached Excello regarding their market focus? I understand the Lovejoy Lofts are currently under construction. It might be in Excello's best interest to modify their store and products to the changing consumer7 profile in the area. In doing so, that may solve the problem that has arisen from the current client base at Excello, while precluding a small business from being forced to close. This would be a business decision on Excello's part, but has the thought been floated? §