Ministry Says Booze Would Be Too Close For ComfortCHARLOTTE, NC- Refuge Ranch Ministry in Ballantyne is fighting a proposed ABC store across the street. The ministry says the plan insensitive and greedy. "That's feeding something we're against," said Michal Rozell, founder and director of Refuge Ranch Ministries. Every week over 100 men, women and children visit Refuge Ranch. Their mission is to restore families hit hard by addiction. Rozell says an ABC store across the street would be a slap in the face. "Quit thinking about dollars and money and think about souls and families," said Rozell. The store would be built between the Goodwill and an under-construction I-Hop. The Mecklenburg County ABC Commission says the location makes business sense. "While we're teaching, they'll be able to look out those windows and see ABC. It just seems improper and there's a lot of other real estate between here and the state line that they could go that would be probably not as controversial," said Rozell. The Mecklenburg County ABC Commission said they did their due diligence by posting a sign on the property for 30 days notifying residents of the store and even welcoming questions and concerns. Refuge Ranch says they never saw the sign. "That's the shocker of coming in under the radar. Sneakiness tells me something. Sneakiness tells me they've learned from experiences before that people don't want it but they make it sound like it's ok,” said Rozell. The ABC Commission says alcohol is already sold at stores nearby. The state board is voting on the proposed store on Wednesday. In an e-mail to Fox Charlotte the board says they welcome comments and concerns. |
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