Avondale Liquors at 1365 N. Federal Blvd. is just south of Colfax Avenue and southwest of RTD’s Decatur-Federal station. (BusinessDen file)
Faced again with questions about its role in crime, including from a city councilwoman, a liquor store that has long concerned law enforcement is seeking help from the legal system.
Avondale Liquors resides on one of the city’s most violent street corners, at 1365 N. Federal Blvd. Its owner believes it deserves sympathy for that. Others say it deserves blame.
“Loitering and alcohol/drug consumption is still prevalent,” a board member with the Villa Park Neighborhood Association wrote to Denver police on July 3. “Ongoing drug/alcohol police reports show a higher level of activity at this site or adjacent to the site.”
When Avondale tried to renew its liquor license in 2021, it set off a 14-month debate about the extent to which it is a victim or a cause of crime along that stretch of Federal. Over the objections of police and others, the store was allowed to remain, if it improved.
A couple weeks later, Avondale sued the Department of Excise and Licenses, accusing it of wrongly considering the needs and desires of neighborhoods when weighing liquor license renewals. A Denver judge quickly threw the case out, finding that because Avondale’s license had been renewed, the store wasn’t harmed by the city and therefore couldn’t sue.
Retail liquor licenses had to be renewed every year until a legal change that took effect earlier this month. Retailers must now renew their licenses every two years.
In May, Avondale applied for another renewal of its license. Again, there was pushback.
An aide to Council President Jamie Torres, who represents the area around Avondale, asked neighborhood leaders if they had complaints about the store. She urged them to try taking photos and videos of any liquor license violations there “but prioritize your safety.”
A realtor in the area and a board member with WeCAN, or the West Colfax Association of Neighbors, both doubted whether Avondale had a security guard on weekend nights.
“This address and the surrounding location is considered a hot spot for DPD and is regularly patrolled by officers,” a detective replied after being sent one of the complaints.
On the evening of May 10, the same day that Avondale applied for renewal, members of the DPD’s vice squad sent an underage cadet into Avondale. When no one checked his ID, the cadet paid $5 for a Bud Light Chelada, according to a police report. Avondale also lacked an evening security guard, in violation of its liquor license, DPD alleges.
So, a hearing will be held to decide whether it can remain open. In the meantime, the store is again trying to limit what factors will go into that decision. It sued Excise and Licenses on Aug. 19 over the department’s consideration of the neighborhood’s needs and desires.
A spokesman for the Department of Excise and Licenses declined to comment on that.
Avondale is owned by Zaid Ghebremeskeris, who bought it in 2020, and its lawyer is Adam Stapen at the Dill Dill law firm in Denver. He declined to discuss the matter.
