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Despite Councilmember's Plea, No Beer Selling for This Fresno Store
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 weeks ago on
April 7, 2025

The Fresno Planning Commission denied A's Family Market at 2717 N. Hughes Ave. the right to sell beer and wine despite support from elected officials. (GV Wire/David Taub)

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Despite an appeal from a city councilmember, the Fresno Planning Commission denied approval for a convenience store to sell beer and wine.

The planning department denied A’s Family Market, at 2717 N. Hughes Ave. between Clinton and Shields avenues, a conditional use permit. Owner Yeslam Haimed appealed to the planning commission, which upheld the original decision at its April 2 meeting.

“It’s become harder with rent going up, with PG&E going up, it’s hard to survive without beer and wine,” Haimed told the planning commission.

The city cited many reasons for the denial, including its location — in an area with other liquor stores and high crime — and that the license would not meet transfer rules established by the city’s Responsible Neighborhood Market Act.

The location used to be Primo’s Family Market, which had its liquor license revoked after a shooting there several years ago. Haimed bought the store and wants to re-establish the right to sell beer and wine.

District 1 Councilmember Annalisa Perea intervened, writing in a letter to the planning commission, “This is a family-owned small business, and I’m confident that, with approval of this ABC (California Alcohol Beverage Control) Beer and Wine license, they will be able to keep their doors open and continue investing in revitalizing that corner of District 1.”

Another elected official, Fresno County Assessor-Recorder Paul Dictos, spoke at the meeting in support of Haimed.

Haimed said he already invested $14,000 in the CUP application. He installed more cameras and lights to deter crime.

Peter Vang, Kathy Bray, Monica Diaz and Gurdeep Singh Shergill voted to deny Haimed’s appeal. Jacqueline Lyday recused herself, as she has business interests in the surrounding area. DJ Criner and Linda Calandra were absent.

Vang said he empathized with the business, but it was “difficult” to override the findings of the planning department. Bray, Diaz and Shergill agreed.

Only Perea and Mayor Jerry Dyer are permitted to appeal the decision to the full city council.

Perea said she would review her options before making a decision.

After initial reluctance commenting publicly, a spokesperson for Dyer said he would support the councilmember’s wishes.

Beltran Files for Supervisor

Alma Beltran

Parlier Mayor Alma Beltran filed to run for Fresno County Supervisor in 2026.

The Republican would be the second challenger to incumbent Buddy Mendes in District 4 — which covers the southern end of the county, with the borders stretching east to west.

Beltran first won election in Parlier in 2014, winning new terms in 2018 and 2022. Her road as leader of the city of approximately 15,000 has been rocky at times, clashing with the city council over issues of keeping a city attorney.

State Center Trustee Danielle Parra filed to run earlier this year. She is a Democrat.

Mendes, a Republican, first won elected to the board of supervisors in 2014. He had nearly $117,000 in the bank for his campaign as of Dec. 31, 2024.

Neither Beltran nor Parra posted supervisor fundraising figures.

The primary is June 2, 2026.

Now Pitching for the Fresno Grizzlies …

The Fresno Grizzlies opened the 2025 season Friday, which meant members of the Fresno City Council threw out ceremonial first pitches.

Some were close, but no strikes were thrown.

Although they left this year for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, former councilmembers Luis Chavez and Garry Bredefeld donned their Grizzlies jerseys and posed for pictures with their former colleagues on the field.

Fresno County Superior Court Judge Glenda Allen-Hill threw out the first pitch for Saturday’s game. The team honored the military, and Allen-Hill is Grand Marshall for this year’s Veterans Day parade, having served previously as a Judge Advocate General in the Air Force.

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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