Committee forwards Willow on the Green's off-sale beer and wine license to full board with positive recommendation

The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on Dec. 14 voted to forward a resolution to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors recommending issuance of a Type 20 off-sale beer and wine liquor license to Sinclair LLC, doing business as Willow on the Green, at an address in District 7.

Chair Supervisor Catherine Stephanie moved that the clerk prepare the resolution finding that issuance of the license "would serve the public convenience or necessity" and forward it with a positive recommendation. The motion passed by roll call with two ayes; the vice chair was excused.

Officer Salmasen of the San Francisco Police Department's Alcoholic Beverage Control liaison unit told the committee the applicant applied for a Type 20 license, that the unit had received "0 letters of protest, 0 letters of support," and that the location is in "Plot 909, which is considered high crime" and in "Census Tract 30202 which is considered high saturation." Salmasen said the ABC unit "recommends approval."

An applicant representative identified in the record as Sinclair, representing Suarez and Sinclair, described the business's multi-year effort to open, saying they "broke ground during COVID about 2 years ago" and have been in operation "for a year and a half." The representative said the shop bills itself as "the, only British cheese shop in the West Coast" and that an off-sale beer and wine license would allow them to "bring low ABV ales" aimed at younger customers.

Chair Stephanie framed the vote in the context of supporting small businesses, noting how difficult it is to open and sustain a business in San Francisco. She also told the committee that District 7 Supervisor Melgar had expressed support for the application.

The committee opened public comment and recorded none. Following the roll call vote to forward the prepared resolution, the item will appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda on Jan. 9, 2024, unless otherwise noted.

The meeting concluded after the single agenda item and was adjourned by Chair Stephanie.