WIndsor Liquors

Hamilton wrote: At times Sweat gets out of control and on numerous occasions has been punched out for his aggressive behavior

This guy should start hanging out in the Slope. Most of us would just toss (at least) a buck at him and then scuttle off in terror.

Hamilton wrote: Thats good to know ,what street corner would you recommend?

Anywhere on 7th between Flatbush and 2nd Street. After 2nd you're going to get pummelled by roving high school students trying to be badass or mean-for-the-Slope types coming out of Ye Olde Carriage House that would be happy to serve you up a knuckle sandwich. Plus the foot traffic before 2nd is a lot better for harrasment/donation solicitation what with the Connecticut Muffin right there.

Hope that helps.

Have you tried Bill DeBlasio’s office? I know he is heavily involved in ridding Brooklyn schools of styrofoam but should be able to do something about this situation. You can tell his office they're drinking their wine out of styrofoam cups.

If you have a complaint about the Liquor store selling to visibly intoxicated people. You can call the NYS Liquor Authority and lodge a formal complaint. They have investigators that will come out and can issue them violations. The last thing a Liquor store wants to do is lose their license.

Oh my, because I've been so busy trying to start and operate this new store, Windsor Wines & Spirits, I've been unaware of the problems and controversy swirling around this issue of serving the homeless. I wish someone would have spoken with me personally so any misunderstandings and misperceptions could have been laid to rest. For this is a matter that I have given much thought and consideration.

My first inclination when I was made aware of this site, was to draft a response lashing out in self-defense for being so misrepresented. However, an incendiary response wouldn't help in the discussion.

Unfortunately, the trouble with these blogs, is that people can write whatever they want regardless of the truth or accuracy of their comments and absent of any journalistic standard, and other trusting, less scrutinizing readers are likely to take what is written as gospel.

So let me make this clear, here is Windsor Wines & Spirits policy: We do NOT serve the visibly intoxicated. We DO serve the homeless.

Alcoholism and homelessness are socio-economic issues that need to be addressed by a community, borough, state, and nation and it is unfair and unreasonable to put the onus of that problem on one business. The problem was created long before any individual stepped into our store.

One of the surprising and wonderful gifts that owning this store has given me, is a chance to get to know these homeless people on a personal level. They each have rich, fascinating, tragic, and noble stories to tell.

Unfortunately when faced with the filth and stench, we sometimes wish the homeless to disappear hoping perhaps to protect our property value and be spared of the daily reminder of the hardship of others, but I think we are called to welcome their presence and friendship.

Sweat, who was indeed sleeping between our store and Dub pies on a recent Sunday, did need to have an ambulance come and pick him up. I did serve him vodka that day. However, he needed it to salve the pain of an infected, horribly swollen knee. He also planted himself at that location for the very reason of getting medical attention. I'm glad he got it.

Billy, also known as Lefty, who lives outside the entrance to this store, has been there for over 15 years. I've owned this shop for just 3 months. I'm not willing to make his life harder by trying to uproot him just for the sake of appearance. Moreover, his addiction of choice does not involve this wine shop.

Other than breaking some public behavior laws, the homeless in this community are almost to a person harmless and law abiding. I think it unwise to tempt them, out of desperation, to find succor through crime and theft.

We make less than 50 cents on half pints of Alexi and Georgi vodka. Profit is not our motivation in selling it. Our motivation is that people want it and in some cases need it. Perfectly respectable and sober individuals request that item because it's affordable and within their budget.

We have no more control over the well dressed business man who buys an expensive, high end vodka then hours later gets behind a wheel any more than we do over the severe alcoholic who drinks quietly in the park to steady his tremors. My hope and wish is that each of us will use alcohol responsibly, but the fact remains that some don't.

On our part, we'll do what we can to help alleviate the plight of the homeless, but not if it means refusing them service in order to pass the problem on to a neighboring community.

I realize by making this decision, I'm not absolved of my responsibilty of feeding the addiction of a few, but my blame does not exceed that of a deli owner who sells cigarettes, a bar that serves regulars pints of beer, or a fast food chain that serves customers fatty foods. We are all, as individuals and a society, culpable on some level. And in a country that hails the freedom of the individual, I don't believe it's my place to make behavioral choices for others.

In a world where most issues of morality are seldom black and white, I feel comfortable guided by the principles of kindness and compassion from which I was raised, to live within the gray of life.

I'm sure some may have differing ideas, and I'm willing to hear others opinions and suggestions and welcome people visiting and addressing them to me personally, but not over a faceless blog.

If individuals are still unhappy with this store's policy and viewpoints then I welcome you to boycott or make appeals to other authorities. I'm more than willing to defend my position before Community Board 7 or the State Liquor Authority.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and come in and visit us. We really are nice folks who mean the best.

Cheers!

John Lenartz
Owner
Windsor Wine & Spirits, Inc.
469 16th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-768-2291

Hamilton, I think you should be commended for what you do for your community. You should take over De Blasio's job.

Maybe obamanut can invite the drunken guys to live in his apt.

I was looking forward to trying those Dub pies after someone here mentioned them but I'll pass, for now anyway.

Hamilton wrote:
Thank you.
I've always been inspired by George Bernard Shaws
"Some men see things as they are and say why.
Others dream things that never were and say why not"

You left out the rest: "and the vast majority of men are too busy working to be bothered about 'offensive bus stop advertisements.'"

On a serious note however, the other day as I was returning from the post office, I noticed Joey and Sweat sitting in the same spot next to "Dub Pies," looking around. I found myself deeply offended and angered by such an eyesore. I guess what I'm trying to say is, count me in on your war against homeless people.

Not in our neighborhood!!!

Hamilton wrote: I'm fortunate enough that I don't have to work.[sorry about that]

You don't seem that sorry

Hamilton wrote: I'm fortunate enough that I don't have to work.[sorry about that]

The billboard that was removed was for a Spanish Radio Station that featured a naked male in it , not a offensive bus stop advertisement as you erroneously stated[ wrong again]

I assume you were taking your wife and kids on a Skid Row tour to celebrate Mothers Day when you spotted Joey and Sweat .

For some reason you refuse to understand this thread is about the illegal sale of alcohol to people who are inebriated ,not a war on the homeless.

Don't you ever tired of your contrarain rants ,everyone else is.

It's good thing Will Rogers never met you.

I remember that billboard - it was a photo of some morbidly obese degenerate naked in a box.
That was truly disgusting - and you did everyone a favor by having it removed.

daver wrote: [quote=J.Farell]I remember that billboard - it was a photo of some morbidly obese degenerate naked in a box.
That was truly disgusting - and you did everyone a favor by having it removed.

*shrug* To each his own. Brooktrout obviously dug on it.

:thumright:

brooktrout wrote: and the only thing you see on billboards is JESUS LOVES YOU kind of stuff...

That would seriously offend me.

Jesus doesn't want me for a sunbeam.