New Liquor Store Will Replace Smiles

Smiles Liquor & Food Mart at the corner of Drexel and Howell has closed, but another liquor store will open in its place.

Sal's Beer and Wine is set to open in the former Smiles space, 7872 S. Howell Ave., in the Oak Creek Plaza shopping center.

Owner Sal Colla has applied for a Class A combination liquor license with the city, Deputy City Clerk Christa Miller said. The application is on track to go before the Oak Creek Common Council on March 5.

It's possible the business could open before then if it receives an occupancy certificate and a provisional alcohol license, Miller said.

A sign posted on the window says "opening soon." Colla couldn't be reached for comment, and no one was at the business when Patch stopped by Monday afternoon.

Smiles, meanwhile, had large "for rent" signs hung on the windows before closing at some point in the past week or so. The store was owned by Mohammad Nazer, who owned two other Oak Creek businesses that closed last year.

The Marathon gas station at 9507 S. Howell Ave. reopened under new management in December. He also owns or used to own the building that was home to La Terraza, a Mexican restaurant that shuttered in September.

Nazer has not responded to several messages.