Council Reverses Decision on Alcohol Permit After Outpouring of Support

Many residents packed Webster Groves City Hall Tuesday night with a simple message for councilors: Let the man sell alcohol.

On May 18, Greg Sullins attended a Webster Groves City Council meeting. Sullins, owner and operator of Sullins Gas & Wash, had applied for a conditional use permit to allow him to sell beer and wine in his convenience store.

Sullins’ permit was defeated by a 4-3 vote on the third reading. Sullins said that after he lost the decision he "wasn't sure what to do next."

Sullins underestimated the community response. The gas and convenience station, a 29-year staple of North Webster, received such enormous support from regular customers and residents after his permit was denied that Sullins began circulating a petition.

More than 45 people signed the petition and 40 letters were submitted to the city council on behalf of Sullins.

At the council’s June 7 regular meeting, in response to the outpouring of support, Councilor Anne Tolan made a motion to reconsider the vote, as well as hold a new public hearing.

At the council’s last meeting Tuesday night, the chamber was standing-room only, as residents showed up in support of Sullins. Seventeen residents spoke to the council regarding the Sullins alcohol license with 16 of them supporting the sale of alcohol at the gas station and car wash.

"When you deny this man the ability to expand, you push money and business out of Webster," said Gary Ingram, of Webster Groves. "People go out to Rock Hill or Brentwood for their six pack and they decide to get their gas as well. It's not fair to Sullins."

Several of the speakers drew attention to a recent council decision to approve a conditional use permit for beer and wine sales for a chain convenience store called "Bucks" that has yet to go into operation (The property it plans to occupy is being renovated).

"How can you approve some outside chain for the same thing?" Connie Fickle asked. "Here is a good man who has been in the community for 30 years!"

The support for Sullins swayed all the votes. Mayor Gerry Welch, upon concluding closing the public session prior to the vote, thanked the audience.

"Thank you for helping us,” she said. “This is how we do good work. You came out; you told us what you wanted; and now we can act. This is the system working."

Sullins said he couldn’t believe the decision and was stunned at the showing of support from fellow residents.

"I can't wait to get business going again, you know?" Sullins said.