Community Corner
'Ales Unlimited' Proposes Craft Beer Outlet on Solano Ave.
San Francisco-based Ales Unlimited wants to open an East Bay outlet for its large craft beer selection on Solano Avenue – in the space next to Fonda Restaurant. The Albany Planning & Zoning Commission will consider it Wednesday.
Ales Unlimited, a specialty beer store in San Francisco, wants to open its second outlet – in Albany.
On the city's Planning & Zoning Commission agenda Wednesday night is an application from Ales Unlimited for a conditional use permit to occupy the empty space next to Fonda Restaurant at 1501 Solano Avenue. The space was formerly occupied by Five Star Video.
The business "will offer craft beers for retail sale and consumption on-site," according to the city staff report on the application. "The applicant will also offer spirits for on-site consumption only."
Ales Unlimited prides itself on its large selection of beers. "We go out of our way to make sure we offer the biggest and best selection of beer products (over 850 for those who are counting)," its website says.
Hours for the Albany outlet would be 11 a.m. to midnight Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
An exemption would be required for the parking requirement, which would be six spaces for the size of the space.
The city recommends approval of the application and the parking exemption since the demand for parking is not expected to be large and can be accommodated by existing parking availability in the area, according to the staff report.
One of the conditions proposed by staff would be installation of bicycle racks.
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