Opinion ID: 1970140
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Grocery Premises Defined Liquor License Prohibition

Text: Consequently, the definitive issue in this case is what constitutes the prohibited premises, i.e., does Sam's intend to sell alcoholic beverages on the premises of its grocery store or on another premises. The Superior Court ruled that the Commission cannot, under the guise of its administrative authority, include a grocery store such as Sam's within the eligible class of licensees for off-premises licenses by drawing an artificial distinction between the package store and Sam's itself. The Superior Court's characterization of the separation between Sam's warehouse and package store as artificial is attributable to the fact that the parties did not provide the Superior Court with the Commission's definition of the word premises. Although the word premises is not defined by statute, it is defined in the rules [3] of the Commission, as follows: Premises shall mean the building or buildings identified by a single address number or lease space number, to which a license to sell alcoholic liquors for consumption on or off has been issued by the Commission, but shall not include the surrounding grounds, parking lot, ancillary structures, contiguous water, still or moving, or piers, floating docks or buildings, patios covered or uncovered, or any other structure, modular or mobile home attached or connected to the licensed establishment by electrical, water, sewer or heating/air conditioning systems. The Commission carefully considered the physical layout of the package store premises it was being asked to license. The Commission concluded that granting Sam's application would not result in the sale of alcohol on the premises of a grocery store, i.e., Sam's warehouse. The Commission made the following findings of fact:  The package store for off premises consumption, if the application is granted, will have a separate facility in the front of the building with a separate entrance from Sam's Club as required by Commission rules.  The size of the package store shall be 17 feet wide by 90 feet long as depicted on the floor plan approved by the Enforcement Section, Agent James McNair of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.  Although there will be a common wall with Sam's other buildings, there will be no entrance from the existing Sam's Club with over 1500 square feet of floor space in compliance with Commission rules.  Agent McNair determined that the General Provisions application to all licensees including, but not limited to, the hours of operation, an accurate floor plan, proper storage facilities, the requirement that no connecting door be located between licensed and unlicensed premises, proper retail license and approved name have been fully complied with by Sam's.  The building plans submitted by Sam's as well as the changes documented in the letter dated July 29, 1993 have been approved by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.  The public shall be able to patronize Sam's package store and no membership cards will be required for patrons.  The package store will not be a grocery store but a bona fide package store for off-premises consumption approved by the Enforcement Section. On appeal from a decision of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, the reviewing court must examine the record to determine whether or not the Commission's findings are based on substantial evidence. Delaware Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission v. Alfred I. duPont School Dist., Del.Supr., 385 A.2d 1123, 1125 (1978); Down Under, Ltd. v. Delaware Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, Del.Super., 576 A.2d 675, 681 (1989); 4 Del.C. § 541(c). Substantial evidence means such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. Oceanport Ind., Inc. v. Wilmington Stevedores, Inc., Del. Supr., 636 A.2d 892, 899 (1994). The appellate court does not weigh the evidence, resolve questions of credibility, or make its own factual findings. Johnson v. Chrysler Corp, Del.Supr., 59 Del. 48, 213 A.2d 64, 66 (1965). It merely determines if the evidence is legally adequate to support the agency's factual findings. 29 Del.C. § 10142(d). [4] The physical layout of Sam's package store and the Sam's warehouse facility is similar to that of many shopping centers, where different mercantile activities are separated by party walls. The record evidence is legally adequate to support the Commission's ultimate factual finding that granting Sam's application would not result in the sale of alcoholic beverages on the premises of a grocery store.