Leonard Gousha isn’t against people drinking. He occasionally imbibes himself. But he is opposed to the liquor store that opened about a mont ago in his Bonanza subdivision neighborhood along Tara Boulevard.
“He’s killing my property values and this is going to bring unwanted trouble to the neighborhood,” said Gousha who recently stood in a cul-de-sac across from the Panhandle Package store with a protest sign.
With the exception of Gousha, owner Mark Griswell said the community has laid out the welcome mat for his $1.5 million venture that he co-owns with Martin Scurry. Griswell is the son of former Clayton County Commissioner Charlie Griswell.
“Half of our (15-member) staff comes from the surrounding neighborhood. They can easily get to work,” Griswell said Wednesday. I would be interested to see what his property value is before and what it is now. This (store is) appraised for over $1 million. If anything, it might increase his value. The shopping center behind us has seen increased business because of the amount of traffic we’re bringing in.”
Griswell is aware of talk in the community that he got a break because of his family connection. He bristles at the allegation.
“I’ve owned this property 10 or 12 years. I asked to be annexed into Lovejoy years ago,” Griswell said. “No previous or current mayors, elected officials or anyone besides myself and Martin Scurry have been involved with our land or license deals.”
Gousha took issue with the store’s location.
Gousha and several of his neigbhors plan to hold a 10 a.m. rally on Saturday where they will distribute flyers protesting the liquor store.
“We just want people to be aware of the liquor store and what affect it will have on their property value in the future and the crime rate associated with liquor stores that come into neighborhoods,” Gousha said.
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