Corner Store Regulations May Soon Come to Rochester
By: Tina Shively
Updated: September 19, 2012
If approved, it would cut down on those that sell alcohol, lotto tickets or tobacco, and possibly cut down on crime.
Linda Martin's 3-year-old daughter loves fresh fruit, but it's difficult to find near her Jefferson Avenue home.
Linda doesn't have a car and can only get a ride to the supermarket once a month.
We caught up with her after a trip to the corner store with the only food staples she could find: eggs and juice.
Martin said "They always say they want you to eat healthy but a lot of the corner stores, they mostly sell junk food."
An amendment to Rochester's Zoning Code may change all that.
City Council Vice President Dana Miller hopes it will encourage markets that sell produce and fresh food to move in.
The law would also cut back on the number of shops that sell mainly alcohol, tobacco or lotto tickets.
Miller said "We found businesses that sell primarily those products have a significantly higher rate of calls for police service, of problems with people loitering or other challenges."
If the zoning code is changed, those stores would not be allowed to open up within 500 feet of each other, or a sensitive area like a church or school.
The goal, Miller says, is not to discourage development, but instead to encourage responsible behavior.
"Sometimes we see a store thats selling 'loosey' cigarettes, or cigarettes without tax stamps, so we would really like to eliminate that impact."
If approved, the measure will go into effect in November, making the trip to the corner store healthy and safe for Linda and her family.
The New York Association of Convenience Stores is fighting back against the city's proposed zoning change.
In a statement to News 8, the group said they respect the city's desire to regulate commerce and maintain order...However, quote "...the overzealous restrictions set forth in these proposed amendments would unfairly constrain convenience stores owners who are not part of the problem".
City Council votes on the amendment Wednesday night.
