The Bethel retail business Swanson’s has announced it’s applying for the city’s final liquor store license. The business is owned by the Sea Lion Corporation, the Native corporation for the dry village of Hooper Bay.
Myron Naneng is the corporation’s President. For decades he also served as president of AVCP, the Association of Village Council Presidents. In that position, he spoke against liquor sales in Bethel for many years. Last year, Naneng resigned from AVCP.
KYUK visited Naneng at his Bethel home and asked him if he’d changed his position on selling liquor in Bethel. He responded that he’s no longer associated with AVCP and no longer speaks for the organization.
He also said that the Sea Lion Corporation is a for-profit corporation and that a liquor store would be a business opportunity.
The Sea Lion Corporation already holds one liquor license at its inn in Whittier.
