SEAL BEACH : Coffee Shop Plan May Hit Spot With Officials

A plan to put a gourmet coffee shop in the place of a liquor store that is moving across the street is expected to receive a warm welcome from city officials trying to limit the number of Main Street businesses that sell alcohol.

The Planning Commission originally balked at the request of Nip ‘N Stuff liquor store to move across from its Main Street location. Commissioners feared that the conditional use permit granted for the store’s original location at 323 Main St. would allow another business that sold alcohol to move in.

But property owner Ron Bennett of Seal Beach promised commissioners that would not happen, and the liquor store owner was granted a permit to move across the street.

Bennett plans to open Bennett’s Coffee Co. in April, offering imported coffee and bakery goods. He will seek a parking variance from the Planning Commission when it reviews his proposal on Jan. 18.