BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo lawmakers have a lot of agenda items to approve on a weekly basis. Frequently on the agenda is an item for a food store license.
University district councilman Rasheed N.C. Wyatt said he makes it a point to not rubber stamp applications that are in his district.
"Now if this is something where they're just transferring the license to someone else, we will bring them in and we have a conversation with them because I'm not just going to transfer it blindly," Wyatt said.
He makes it a point to meet with the business owner.
"I have an annual license renewal meeting for all the licenses, food store licensees. I renew it annually, at the same time for the most part, in most cases, when you see that there's a license being put before the council at a specific time there may have been a sale of the property and that license doesn't transfer to the new owner."
For the most part, Wyatt says corner store operators are doing the right thing.
"These stores are better run and in some cases most of the stores are cleaner than some of the national chains. So I have respect for many of those stores now. There are some that have issues, but those we can address.," he said. "We have Family Dollar and the Dollar General and those stores seem not to heed to any of the communities comments as it relates to cleanliness, quality of food, customer service even around the grounds around the facility, that's when I have a problem and in most cases the problems I have are with the larger chains, not with the mom and pops."
There is a Bailey Avenue business operating without a permit in his district.
"It is open right now. Rounds and Bailey, go there and see that this business is open without a license, without an approval from the councilmember. First they were opened up as a cannabis place, then they transitioned to something else. And in fact this individual who owns this business, when the inspector was there to give him a cease and desist order, this individual who owns the business tore it up."
The city's commissioner of permits and inspection told 2 On Your Side an inspector has been going back to the store, but is unable to speak with anyone.
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