By David Kilby, Special Writer
ALLENTOWN The introduction of an ordinance to amend Allentown’s alcohol beverage control code brought the issues of underage drinking and the cost of liquor licenses to the front and center of the borough’s last council meeting.
The proposed ordinance, which was introduced at the Borough Council’s Sept. 13 meeting, would increase the cost of a $765 liquor license by 20 percent each year until the fee reaches $2,500 the maximum allowed by state law.
The only two places in Allentown with licenses to sell alcohol are Di Mattia’s Restaurant on North Main Street and Allentown Wine and Liquors next door.
Residents at the meeting expressed concerns about local children going into the liquor store on Main Street, even though they don’t buy any liquor there.
Robert Dutco, of Allen Drive, said students often stop at Allentown Wine and Liquors on their way home from school to pick up a soda or candy bar. He asked the mayor and council if students are routinely carded for identification when they walk into the store.
”Unless he is buying liquor, he won’t be carded,” Mayor Stuart Fierstein replied. “To my knowledge, they’ll not be carded if they’re going in for a bag of chips or a soda.”
Phyllis Dutco, of Allen Drive, compared walking into a liquor store with walking into a casino hotel.
”Anybody can walk in (to a liquor store),” Ms. Dutco said. “It’s like a casino. A 3-year-old can go in. They just can’t go on the gaming floor.”
Nitesh Patel, who owns Allentown Wine and Liquors, said he personally knows the students who stop in his store and they do not buy liquor.
”This town is like a family,” Mr. Patel said when contacted after the meeting. “Everybody knows everybody, so we just know by relation if they’re underage. It’s my job to not sell (alcohol to those who are) underage.”
As for the proposed ordinance to raise liquor license fees, Mr. Patel said it would just make doing business in Allentown more difficult.
”We have to make a better profit,” Mr. Patel said.
The public hearing and adoption vote on ordinance is set for Sept. 27.

