Trops loses liquor license effective April 9

Tropical Liqueurs, a bar in Soulard serving alcoholic slushies, will lose its liquor license effective April 9, according to a statement released today, March 11, by the owners. Area residents filed a petition with the excise commissioner of the city of St. Louis protesting the bar’s liquor license. After reviewing the complaints, the excise commissioner rendered his decision in favor of the protestors.

In the press release, co-owner Billy Thompson expressed disappointment with the decision and defended concessions the business made in order to address neighborhood concerns since Trops opened in August 2015.

“We are responsible members of the community and did everything we could to work with our neighbors, even when it was detrimental to our bottom line,” Billy Thompson said in the statement. “The people of St. Louis have been overwhelmingly supportive, and we will find a way continue to offer Trops to the community.”

The complaints ranged from loitering to public urination to noise and traffic congestion.

Thompson, his brother Bradlee Thompson and sister Connie Vaughan, all co-owners, are looking for another location while continuing to work through the current process with the city. "We are baffled by this," said Thompson. "We wanted to be a part of the community and implemented so many things to accommodate the neighbors and be good neighbors. I don't know of any other bar in the area that voluntarily closes an hour and a half before they're required to [by law]."

"We will continue to look for the right home for Tropical Liqueurs St. Louis. St. Louis as a whole has been nothing but phenomenal from the day we opened and we know there are neighborhoods that would welcome us."

 Editor’s note: This post was updated at 4:21 p.m. on March 11 to include comments from owner Billy Thompson.