BETHEL — A Bethel restaurant has dropped its application to open a package liquor store.
Fili’s Pizza withdrew its application after the Bethel City Council issued a protest of the license in part because of the restaurant’s location, KYUK-AM reported Thursday .
The pizzeria sits across from a halfway house and down the street from a 4-H teen center.
The council was also concerned with the bushy, wooded landscape surrounding Fili’s, saying it would be unsafe for first responders.
Bethel opened its first liquor store in more than 40 years last year and has since approved a second store.
In all, the city is allowed three package stores — one for every 3,000 people — and one restaurant liquor license per 1,500 people.
Fili’s Pizza already holds a restaurant liquor license to serve beer and wine, and it was the first business to sell alcohol in Bethel.
Four businesses are still seeking Bethel’s third and final liquor store license.
The City Council has protested one application from the owner of an auto shop who would like to convert it into a liquor store.
— The Associated Press
