Kansas City liquor retailers deserve a say before a single-serve bottle ban | Opinion

We are proud to be from Kansas City. A place that values its people — the ones who put in the quiet hard work to build something that lasts, a place that takes care of its neighbors. In the KC that we know, we come together to achieve our goals.

Altogether, we owners and operators of local liquor and convenience stores have more than a century’s experience in running local businesses. We operate under one of the most heavily regulated systems in the American economy. The liquor industry is regulated at the federal, state and local levels. There are limits on where, when and how alcohol may be sold; restrictions on container sizes, alcohol content and packaging; excise taxes; compliance inspections and constant rule changes.

We accept that responsibility as store owners. What we cannot accept is a regulation dividing neighborhoods, consumers and businesses and calling it public safety.

Kansas City leaders have proposed Ordinance No. 260250, a ban on single-serve alcohol products in targeted corridors, which does exactly that.

In practice, it would remove the most affordable legal options from certain neighborhoods while leaving other areas untouched. When policymakers eliminate the lowest-cost choices, they don’t reduce demand — they force consumers to purchase larger quantities they may not want or cannot afford. Applied only to specific neighborhoods, it creates a two-tier system where certain residents have fewer legal choices than those who live elsewhere in Kansas City.

The proposed ordinance also ignores economic reality. Small retailers are already under intense pressure from inflation, rising insurance costs, workforce shortages, supply-chain disruptions and tariffs raising prices upstream. Many of us operate on thin margins in neighborhoods that desperately need stable businesses, jobs and foot traffic. Single-serving sales can account for over a third of our business. A ban could put us under.

This is not a thoughtful policy. Public safety matters. Neighborhood stability matters. But retail access and economic dignity matter, too. Local retailers are already allies in public safety. We are licensed, trained and accountable. We check IDs. We refuse sales. We invest in security. We pay taxes that fund city services. We know that progress toward safety and stability can be made if approached additively.

We want to work alongside policymakers for constructive solutions to the identified issues. We want to create safer, stronger neighborhoods without posing existential threats to our businesses — and we have ideas.

The liquor industry is eager to organize regular neighborhood litter cleanups and contribute to the installation of increased waste receptacles. We want to take a larger role in public education on the dangers of problem consumption and irresponsible disposal practices. We are open to clearer standards of stewardship for our properties and enforcement of violations.

Regardless of the path we take, we want to be partners with the city in addressing the identified problems, so we propose regular meetings between the industry, city leadership, community groups and public safety officials.

We believe in a Kansas City made better through collaboration, communication, and conversation. Let’s work together to make our city better for all its residents, regardless of where they fall on the map.

Frank Fazzino is owner of The Top Spot in Kansas City. He wrote this with the collaboration of Khurram Arshad of Brooklyn Express, Amrit Bains of World of Spirits, Jefferson Baker of Prospect Market, Adeel Cheema of Cheema’s Mini Market, Shawn Choudry of Midtown Market/Gomers, Patrick Doohan of Mike’s Wine and Spirits, Jay Jamal of Paul’s Liquor/XPress Mart, Phil Marquez of Country View Market and Sameer Vishnani of Cloud 9 Liquor.