**Merchants May Lose Alcohol Sale Permits in City**
Merchants in the city who fail to comply with regulations for selling alcohol face the possibility of losing their selling permits, as warned by the head of the Commission for Recreation, Shows, and Alcohols, Miguel Loza. Out of the 3,800 active licenses in the city, approximately 500 are non-compliant with the Alcohol Law. Loza stated that those who disregard the city’s formal calls to meet these requirements will see their licenses revoked, preventing them from selling alcohol.
“We are examining which licenses are in progress and their current status,” Loza explained, adding that they are using information provided by the Alcohol Law to detail the situation within the week. The aim is to encourage businesses to update their permits and maintain compliance with payment requirements.
The commission’s current priority is regularizing the existing 3,800 businesses with permits, ensuring they meet all the necessary conditions before expanding new consumption zones. The East Zone is highlighted as attractive for investors looking to open commercial centers and restaurants, with several new venues applying for permits. However, Loza emphasized the importance of regularizing existing businesses before proceeding with new applications.
The growth of neighborly colonies into commercial zones is attributed to citizen demand, particularly in areas like the Cacho or the “Golden Zone,” where new businesses are opening. This trend reflects a gradual and citizen-driven process of licensing.
**Related Developments: Concerns Over Permit Transparency and Regulation**
Amidst the ongoing scrutiny of alcohol sale permits in the city, there is a call from the Citizens’ Action Team (CAT) for greater transparency in the regulation process. The installation of the city’s Commission for Recreation, Shows, and Alcohols aims to address these concerns. Recent events have already highlighted the impact of permit regulations, such as the suspension of a concert by Cornelio Vega due to lack of appropriate permits.
Additionally, local authorities are under pressure to consider infrastructural challenges. Recent reports indicate that although the wastewater treatment plant improvements continue, there are still concerns about its capacity and operational readiness, highlighting broader municipal regulatory and operational challenges.
Meanwhile, unions have expressed their disapproval of proposed reforms to the Issstecali law, urging a financial re-engineering approach rather than legislative changes. This resistance underscores the wider debate on regulatory practices and their implications across various sectors in the city.
On another note, festive customs are subject to local regulations, as seen with the prohibition of mask wearing in specific Tijuana areas during Halloween, emphasizing security and regulatory compliance in public spaces during holidays.
Local merchants, particularly in the city center, report that Halloween and Day of the Dead sales were down by nearly 50%, attributed to weaker demand for seasonal products like candy and piñatas, highlighting the challenging retail environment amidst stricter permit regulations and evolving consumer habits.