The Long Beach Planning Commission voted 4-2 Thursday night to approve a conditional use permit for Saltwater Deck to begin alcohol sales at its Junipero Beach concession stand location.
Saltwater Deck was approved to start operating at the Junipero Beach location last June, where it’s been selling burgers, wraps and frozen yogurt. Now, it wants to expand its offerings to beer, wine, champagne and wine-based cocktails.
The conditional use permit granted by the Planning Commission Thursday night will restrict when operators can serve alcohol and will require food to be sold to customers who also want to order a drink.
Alcohol sales will be restricted to between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and customers will have to stay inside the roped-off areas near the concession stand. Before they can begin sales the business will have to submit detailed plans to the city outlining how the new alcohol service will be delivered.
The permit also requires the business to limit its quarterly sales of alcohol so they don’t exceed the sales of food, something that can be verified by the city. All alcoholic drinks will also have to be sold in clear, recognizable cups, according to the conditions listed in the permit.
Some members of the public rejected the idea of allowing alcohol to be sold so close to areas where children play. The concession stand is on the beach but also located next to a playground and sports quarts.
Christopher Koontz, deputy director of Development Services, pointed out that there are other parks that allow alcohol sales near or at their facilities. The city’s municipal code specifically allows for alcohol sales to be allowed at Rainbow Lagoon Park, where large annual events like Pride and the Grand Prix take place, as well as the main library, museums and ranchos.
Commissioner Alvaro Castillo said while he did have concerns he felt that the price points of the alcohol being sold and that a food purchase is required would likely lead to people not buying too many beverages at this location.
“We’re not approving a bar, we’re not approving any kind of liquor,” Castillo said. “But for me, as a consumer, I’m going to have to go back and get another food item … that’s a $20 a pop beer.”
Saltwater Deck is the first of the concession operators to open up along the stretch of the city’s beach where it spent millions to renovate three concession areas at Granada, Junipero and Alamitos Beach. Those two locations have operators approved by the city but have yet to begin operating.
Gaucho Grill, which will operate the Alamitos Beach concession stand, was already approved for a permit to sell alcohol including distilled spirits once it opens to the public. The permit was approved in 2017 by the Planning Commission when the city was beginning the rebuild process of the beach concession facilities.
The Alamitos Beach location is expected to open next month.