We got a tip from Betsy Jacoby, Youth Advisory Council leader (a group of seven high-schoolers), that the YAC was surveying the street to see which liquor stores were in compliance with two laws that dictate how much window space can be dedicated to advertising. After doing some research, they found that 40% of stores between Stanyan and Buchanan were out of compliance.
So, they're asking for change.
The first law they're referring to is the Lee Law. The Lee Law (named after Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Oakland, D) that requires liquor store owners to have no more than 33% of their window space covered with advertisements. The purpose is so that there is enough window space to see inside the store for safety reasons. A similar law exists within the city: Deemed Approved Off-Sale Alcohol Use Standards, City & County of SF Section 26.12 (d) is very similar to the Lee Law and outlines the same 33% language. On April 23rd, the YAC visited 3 stores in the Upper Haight: Frank's, Fred's New Lite Supermarket and Central Haight Market and Liquor to educate store owners about their storefronts being out of compliant with the Lee Law. They explained that the more alcohol advertising kids see, the more likely they are to drink. Wondering why they didn't visit Liquid Experience? It's because Liquid Experience is compliant. YAC wants to give them an award and put a photo of them on their website. As for the others, YAC told us that they found most store employees to be congenial, and understanding of the YAC'c concerns.
The first law they're referring to is the Lee Law. The Lee Law (named after Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Oakland, D) that requires liquor store owners to have no more than 33% of their window space covered with advertisements. The purpose is so that there is enough window space to see inside the store for safety reasons. A similar law exists within the city: Deemed Approved Off-Sale Alcohol Use Standards, City & County of SF Section 26.12 (d) is very similar to the Lee Law and outlines the same 33% language. On April 23rd, the YAC visited 3 stores in the Upper Haight: Frank's, Fred's New Lite Supermarket and Central Haight Market and Liquor to educate store owners about their storefronts being out of compliant with the Lee Law. They explained that the more alcohol advertising kids see, the more likely they are to drink. Wondering why they didn't visit Liquid Experience? It's because Liquid Experience is compliant. YAC wants to give them an award and put a photo of them on their website. As for the others, YAC told us that they found most store employees to be congenial, and understanding of the YAC'c concerns.
Generally, store employees WERE aware of the law, however, their storefronts did not reflect at least two-thirds of open window space. When asked, no store owner was available to speak with us, so we left pamphlets and had lengthy conversations with the store employees and urged them to speak with their manager. We offered stores who decide to comply a place on our website as a business who cares about the Haight's community health and present them with an award to put on display.They're going back in May to see if any stores show changes, and they'll let us know what they find. In the meantime, they want you to know that you can call the planning department to report stores that are noncompliant.
