Video: Convenience Store Ordinance Reaction

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — Some convenience stores around the city of Columbus will be forced to change their hours because city council members passed an ordinance they say is focused on public safety.

Some store owners feel their shops are targeted and they’re not too happy about it.

Members of the Columbus City Council and the police department say some local residents say they’re worried about what’s going in their neighborhoods.

“…many of them were concerned about things that were happening at these little neighborhood convenience stores and they wanted us to do something about it…”, says Ward 3 city councilman Charlie Box.

Wednesday evening, city leaders passed an ordinance that says stores that sell beer and wine in family areas will have to close at 10 P.M. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 P.M. Friday and Saturday.

Some store owners say the decision will hurt their business and they will possibly file a legal complaint.

One owner told also told WCBI that if it’s what the people in the neighborhoods want, then he’s fine with the decision that was made.

Other people in the community are not happy about the decision.

“Stop faulting the neighborhood stores about the crime rate in this and that, you got to fault the peoples in the neighborhood. That’s who you need to get after…”, says Gloria Wilkins.

“I think it’s aimed at mom and pop stores of people who are African and Middle Eastern descent, and I think that they set up the ordinance that way…”, says Michael Thomas, who works as a cook at Amen grocery, “…by excluding a lot of other businesses that stay open 24 hours that are in other areas outside the black neighborhoods.

The stores that are affected are locally owned and near residential areas.

The ordinance will go into affect October 6th.