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Liquor licenses dry up in P.B.: police opposition has created 5-year ''moratorium'' due to crime concerns.

Article Excerpt
On a Friday afternoon in late May, the staff at Cantina Panaderia, a new restaurant in Pacific Beach, busied themselves making preparations for the evening's clientele.

Sounds of music and conversation from happy-hour celebrants at a couple of nearby bistros floated through the open front door. But there was ample seating available at Cantina's freshly stained and varnished tables.

Alcohol is not served at the Felspar Street eatery, but owners Billy Tosheff and his wife, Isabel Cruz, have applied for a beer and wine license.

"Business is OK," Cruz said. "It isn't that sales of beer and wine would bring in that much extra revenue. But our menu is a fusion of Asian and Latin cuisine and people want a glass of wine with dinner. Some who come inwill actually turn around and leave when they learn they can't have wine."

But Tosheff said a "virtual moratorium" on liquor licenses in Pacific Beach not only stands in the way, it also thwarts redevelopment in the community.

"It's an uphill battle,"...

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