RCSD: Business the sheriff calls “a strain on law enforcement and the neighbors who live around it” no longer can sell alcohol

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– The Richland County Sheriff’s Department says a store on North Main Street is no longer permitted to sell alcohol.

RCSD says it was contacted by Executive Director of the Wiley Kennedy Foundation Gwendolyn Singletary in early 2020, requesting assistance with the Obama Mart on North Main Street. Authorities say that a group of local representatives, local churches and community members petitioned the South Carolina Department of Revenue to deny the renewal of the store’s off-premises beer and wine permit.

“This is going to be a major step in getting our community cleaned up and built up,” Singletary said. “We love this community and we have built lasting partnerships between law enforcement, faith-based groups, homeowners and business owners that will continue to help us bring back the decency to this area. We want to attract new businesses and families and ensure it a safe and desirable place to live.”

After testimony at the Administrative Law Court, the court affirmed its denial of the store’s permit. During this testimony, officials say that community members and representatives spoke about seeing public drunkeness, prostitution and threatening behavior from individuals coming and going from the store.

“This was a difficult task and I am proud to have citizens in Richland County who care about their communities and stand up for what is right,” Sheriff Lott said. “This business has been a strain on law enforcement and the neighbors who live around it. Thank you to the Wiley Kennedy Foundation and the Department of Revenue who were instrumental in this case. This goes to show what can happen when law enforcement and the community work together.”

According to RCSD, the Obama Store can no longer sell beer and win as of September 9, 2021.