The call to rebuild in Baltimore brought a new pot of recovery money for the businesses that were damaged in April’s riots. Not all businesses will receive that money, however.
Liquor stores and corner stores were among the hardest-hit businesses in the looting that came with riots, with windows smashed and merchandise taken. On Monday, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said about two dozen liquor stores would not be eligible for money to rebuild. The stores do not meet zoning code because they are in residential areas.
“I do not believe it is appropriate for the city to provide money for non-conforming liquor stores to rebuild as liquor stores in the same locations,” Rawlings-Blake said. “This is simply not the appropriate way for us to spend tax dollars or outside donations.”
In other words, go somewhere else or sell something else.
