The city has received an application for a tobacco license from Merwin Liquors Shakopee located at 471 Marschall Road. This application is being retroactively applied for.

Merwin Liquors have been in business in Shakopee since May of 2021. Merwin Liquor received a tobacco violation on December 29, 2021. It was discovered when implementing the fines for the violation that they did not have a license to sell. Merwin Liquor immediately stopped all sales of tobacco products. The Police Department conducted a second compliance check on September 26, 2022 to confirm.

Staff had discussed in the past the application process with Tommy Cohen. He had the application in his possession. The application was found partially filled out on his desk when the fine for the violation was received in the mail. 

Tobacco license fees are as follows: $150 background fee, $200 application fee, $200 yearly renewal fee. City Code and the fee schedule have no provision for doubling the fee for an applicant that is retroactively applying for a license. However, based on how long they have been in business and the cost of the license fee and renewal fees, staff would recommend doubly the application fee to $400. The application is in order. The Police Department has conducted the customary background investigation and found nothing in the background check that would prevent the issuance of the license.