Santa Paulans have to travel to Ventura's Kimball Drive or Ashwood Avenue shopping centers, home to the closest Longs Drug Stores.The Nov. 26th staff report to the Planning Commission noted that Longs will be "easily accessible due to its location on West Main Street and Harvard Boulevard and will would provide additional convenience and competition with Vons market in the same shopping center."Vons reacted by quickly opening a pharmacy in the crowded store, now also home to a branch of a national bank.Longs not only pays higher than standard starting wages, but also offers one of the best total compensation packages in the industry.Longs has over 400 stores in six western states, including Hawaii. The company, based in Walnut Creek, employs over 19,000 people.The CUP modification hearing before the Planning Commission has been tentatively scheduled for July 15th.
Longs Drug Stores to appeal CUP alcohol sales license restriction
July 09, 2003
Santa Paula News
The city's restrictive policy on alcohol licenses is about to be tested with a major retailer opening a new store in Santa Paula seeking a variance on the requirement that they obtain an existing license within city limits.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe city's restrictive policy on alcohol licenses is about to be tested with a major retailer opening a new store in Santa Paula seeking a variance on the requirement that they obtain an existing license within city limits.Longs Drug Store has already started remodeling in anticipation of opening later this year at the Santa Paula Shopping Center. Longs, one of the most successful in its retail niche, is taking over the space that was the previous home of Thrifty and then Rite Aid drug stores, south of Vons.Longs notified the city Planning Department that they will seek a modification of the Conditional Use Permit that allows them to sell liquor at the store, which is expected to employ up to 50 people.The city now requires that any business seeking a liquor license for on- or off-sale of alcoholic beverages purchase an existing license within city limits. The policy banning new liquor licenses, adopted approximately three years ago, reflected the concerns of the City Council and Santa Paula Police Department that Santa Paula has a much higher number of liquor licenses than the state average.In November, Longs received the CUP for offsite sale of liquor on a split Planning Commission vote but had to return to the City Council in January when it was discovered that the Conditional Use Permit was for beer and wine only and did allow other alcohol sales.Longs, which is hoping to open its store at 600 W. Main Street in October, has 11 stores in Ventura County.
