A presentation about liquor stores was the main subject of last Tuesday’s meeting of the Quitman Development Corporation.

The “debate” was not regarding whether Quitman should allow a liquor store, but rather regarding which store would be allowed to purchase one of the QDC’s business lots currently up for sale.

Tina Hanner, of Double H Package Store, LLC, in Quitman, gave her presentation first. Hanner’s presentation largely centered around Double H’s community involvement, local focus and the Hanners’ personal labor which went into the store. 

She also took time to call out Zipps Liquor, the other company vying for the land, for what she alleged were “threatening text messages and phone calls demanding an answer to sell to them.” The overall theme of her presentation was largely centered around convincing the board to keep the Business Park lots from Zipps Liquor, which Hanner said would put Double H in danger of “dying… if corporations are allowed to take over or bully them into selling.”

“Essentially, if the city decides to allow Zipps to build, then it will eventually end up with an empty building on Richards St. The very building that put this street on the map, Double H Package Store,” Hanner’s presentation read.

Hanner, who owns the store along with her husband Glenn, proposed that the QDC allow them to purchase Business Park Lots 7 and 9 in order to start an HVAC supply store. 

QDC board member Kevan Burroughs asked if they need both lots for their project, and Glenn Hanner replied “No…but it would help with parking for our store.”

Zipps Liquor also made a presentation to request the purchase of Business Park Lots 7 “and/or Lot 9.” On the lots, they said, they would build a 4,400-square-foot store. The proposed building would also include 600 square feet of living space for the store manager, as is customary for the company.

QDC board member Brad Medlin asked presenter Bob Singh if it would “be a game changer” if the company weren’t allowed to put the word “Liquor” on their storefront; Singh told the board that it would not be a “game changer.” 

The QDC board discussed allowing Zipps Liquor to purchase “just… Lot 7.” Singh said that “my preference was number 9, but we’ll settle with number 7.” However, no official decision has yet been made regarding the sale of the land.

Samantha and Steve Krell, who own Rockin S & S Grill, also petitioned the board for Lot 9. They said that their food truck has been open for around two years, and that “we’re ready to go to a brick and mortar.” If able to purchase Business Park Lot 9, they said, they intend to erect a metal building with an outdoor patio/patio seating, and open a full bar inside during the day. Their building would measure 4,500 square feet and would employ around 20-30 people.

“This is great that we have people that want to bring in business…but we have to choose (who should get the land) wisely,” said one spectator, who summed up the evening accurately.

Because of the sometimes-tension-filled presentations, QDC board member Brad Medlin took a moment to remind everyone that “this is not a bidding war.”

“I want to say something in open session for everybody to hear: this is not a bidding war for the money,” he said. “This is what’s best for the City of Quitman, and the tax dollars coming to the City of Quitman. It is not for the QDC. I just want to make sure everybody understands that — that any decision we make on the three presentations here, if we make any decision, is what is best for the City of Quitman.”

Board President Martha Scroggins mentioned that she has “formally asked” not to be reappointed to the board.

“It’s been a pleasure for me on this board…. I’ve been on this board for 11 or 12 years, so it’s time for a change,” she said.

She thanked the board for their support.

QDC board member Alice Bower is also resigning.

To fill the two vacancies on the board, the QDC voted to elect QISD Superintendent Chris Mason and Justin Harrison, who is a former state trooper and now the owner of 5H Equipment Rental & Sales.

“Both have an incredible track record…as far as their love for our community and their willingness of their time to help out in any way they can,” said QDC Executive Director James Attaway. “All very willing and eager to serve.”

The board also adjusted its budget to include some “forecast(ed)” extra sales tax revenue. The board decided to move the money into a budget for fans for the Jim Hogg City Park Pavilion, and for “potentially” putting a back wall to the stage onto the pavilion. They also earmarked some of the money for water and sewer taps for rental house duplexes on Cedar Drive, which Attaway pointed out would boost business in Quitman.

The board voted to reimburse Verdek, LLC $7,500 for the installation of EV charging station infrastructure.