Voters deny liquor permit for Party Pantry in Youngstown

YOUNGSTOWN — Voters living near the Party Pantry on Glenwood Avenue voted to no longer permit the store to sell beer, wine and mixed beverages.

That’s going to kill business at the corner store, said Zuhair Sarsour, who co-owns the Party Pantry with his wife, Ahlam.

“Without beer, there’s no point having the store open,” he said, though adding that he wouldn’t close the store. “The beer is the heart of the store. Even with beer, we can’t pay our house bills. Without beer, I bet you they’re going to kick us out of our house.”

In November 2008, voters in Youngstown’s 5th Ward, Precinct I, voted to make the precinct dry. The store, owned for 18 years by the Sarsours, had to receive approval today for a liquor option to keep its liquor license.

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com