Mobil gas station approved to sell alcohol

By Dana Casadei

The Mobil gas station at 43003 Woodward Ave. is one step closer to becoming the second gas station in Bloomfield Township to sell beer, wine and liquor after a vote of approval from the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees on Monday, December 8. 

Prior to the township’s liquor regulations changing and being approved in November 2024, the regulations were so stringent that no one qualified.

“We’ve had one other gas station that’s been approved, and it’s been up and running for about six months with no issues,” said Andrea Bibby, director of planning, building & ordinance. “Things have been running smoothly.” 

While this is one of only a few gas stations in Bloomfield Township that will be able to sell alcohol – the Mobil is still waiting on the approval of their liquor license but didn’t seem worried – this will not be the first of its kind for Michigan Fuels, Inc., the applicant for the this site plan and special land use. 

The store’s owner, Sejaan Ghafari, said that he owns the Mobil and Tim Hortons gas station in Birmingham too, and they’ve sold packaged liquor since 2013 without issue. He also mentioned that he has a very good record with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. 

Prior to coming before the board, the special land use was looked at by various Bloomfield Township departments, boards and the planning commission. None found issues with the request. 

For those concerned that the sale of alcohol will be open as a 24-hour operation like their service station and convenience store – a decision approved by the board of trustees in 2022 – Ghafari confirmed that will not be the case.

Michigan law only allows for alcohol to be sold from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.