Authorizing Philadelphia City Council to hold hearings and meetings investigating "stop-and-go" establishments that violate restaurant liquor license requirements and further diminish the health, safety, and well-being of the surrounding community.

Authorizing Philadelphia City Council to hold hearings and meetings investigating “stop-and-go” establishments that violate restaurant liquor license requirements and further diminish the health, safety, and well-being of the surrounding community. WHEREAS, “Stop-and-go’s” are commonly referred to as delis where patrons commonly purchase alcoholic beverages including beer, malt liquor, and shots of alcohol. These delis also offer other items that can be converted into narcotics; and WHEREAS, Stop-and-go’s have failed to adhere to the law that requires restaurants to be able to seat 30 at least persons at one time. Restaurant liquor code prohibits sales to minors, prohibits restroom facilities not being accessible, being open on Sundays without a Sunday sales permit, and minimal to no food service; and WHEREAS, Research has shown that stop-and-go’s tend to be concentrated in minority and lower-income neighborhoods, becoming a haven for criminal activity and adversely affecting the health, safety, and well-being of the surrounding community; and WHEREAS, Established in 2020, the Nuisance Establishment Task Force proposed that Philadelphia create new liquor license classifications for stop-and-go’s, reduce the amount of liquor licenses in Philadelphia, create a smartphone app that would allow the public to report violations, and require businesses with liquor licenses to provide a public restroom in addition to the restaurant liquor license qualifications already in place; and W…