the last venture attracted undesirables to the area.

Antonio Esposito, owner and operator of Tony's Fine Foods in Bailey's Bay, testified in a liquor licence hearing.

He said he understood the last time the location sold alcohol it attracted undesirables.

But under new management, the old stigma attached to the location -- formerly Enterprise Grocery -- would disappear, he said.

"My wife and I care a lot about the community. We have a two-year-old daughter who we want to grow up in a good community.

"While we don't reside next to the store we do not wish any detriment to the community,'' he added.

A decision on the application will be made on Tuesday.

Mr. Esposito told Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner, head of the three-man liquor licensing panel, when the Bailey's Bay youth cricket team asked for sponsorship, the store helped out as best it could.

He told Mr. Warner: "We consider ourselves part of the community. The residents have made us feel like a big family down in Bailey's Bay.

"We can't guarantee what's going to happen in the future but we can guarantee it will not be from our lack of vigilance.'' Linda Horton, a resident of the area, objected to Tony's Fine Foods getting a licence.

She said the undesirables would come back to the community.

Mr. Esposito replied: "All I ask is for a level playing field.'' He said it would be his responsibility to ensure the rules laid out in the liquor licence would be followed.

He wrote into the licence application that the store not be able to sell chilled or single beers -- only wine and beers in no quantity other than a six-pack.

He told Mr. Warner a primary driving factor behind his application for a liquor licence was that he was losing customers.

Some tourists buy chips or similar small items but there is no wine or beer for them to take to their rooms at the Grotto Bay Hotel near the store, he said.

He said if undesirables start to gather like before he and his wife took over the store: "I will be on the phone -- if need be -- every half-hour to Police.'' Mrs. Horton said Mr. Esposito has not been on the Island long enough to know posting no loitering signs and other deterrents will not work.

"I don't think that alcohol helps any situation,'' she said, "I just don't want to introduce a problem (to the community).'' "When you sponsor youth and you sell alcohol, you send a mixed message,'' she said before alleging Mr. Esposito failed to understand Bermuda's culture.