I'm continuing to hear complaints from Latino business owners, saying that the Minneapolis City Council is gotten real tough on giving hispanic businesses liquor licenses.
The ongoing rumor in the Latino Community is that the city council has decided to not grant any more liquor licenses to Latino businesses. Of course this is ridiculous that the city council would signal out one ethnic group for licenses, but in politics perception is reality and I would appreciate feedback from the council on what's going on so we can pass on to our readers. This is not just a few people. It's a very widespread rumor. We are seriously in risk after the smoking ban and the Lake Street reconstruction to loose some of our best Mexican restaurants over this perception. Don't say I didn't warn you later. Its almost impossible for a Mexican restaurant to stay in business without at least a beer and wine license. Good Mexican seafood without a good Corona, Modelo or Tecate beer is a tough sell for customer who will go elsewhere. Again there is talk here of the suburbs being friendlier. A Latino Community without good Mexican restaurants will lead to people moving out of the neighborhood. Do we want to go back to the old days of Lake Street and boarded up buildings? I'm also hearing that the city council, particularly one council member, is trying to take away the late night liquor license for El Nuevo Rodeo. This would again to great damage to EL Nuevo Rodeo. Nuevo Rodeo to the suburbs too? EL Nuevo Rodeo has been about the only successful meeting place for Latinos in the Twin Cities. Its a place that bring Mexican Regional, Salsa, Raggaeton, Spanish Rock... Its a place where you can feel you're still in Latin America. A place where Latino and non Latino non-profit organizations meet and fundraise. Is there anything that can be done about this? Are the complaints a widespread thing, or just a few people. Do we have a culture clash? Are Latinos complaining too, or just non Latinos? Our community would be greatly affected without a Nuevo Rodeo. I'd really like to get educated about what's going on with el Rodeo and see if there is something that can be done still. Disclosure, EL Nuevo Rodeo is an advertising client of ours. I would appreciate feedback from council members and residents affected by Latino Businesses with liquor licenses to find out if some consensus can be reached. We also would like to clarify any rumors to our readers. Alberto Monserrate President CEO Latino Communications Network (LCN Media) Publishers of Weekly Spanish Newspaper Gente de Minnesota Bi-weekly Latino Entertainment Publication Vida y Sabor Yearly Minnesota-Iowa Hispanic Yellow Pages Directory 1516 E Lake Street #200 Minneapolis, MN 55407 Office: 612-729-5900 Office: 612-243-1283 Fax: 612-729-5999 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.lcnmedia.com www.gentedeminnesota.com REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
