Big Shirl’s Kitchen in North Adams was given the go-ahead to allow its customers to bring in their own beer and wine, but the City Council will be looking at ways to regulate the practice, according to a Berkshires website covering local news.
The council on Tuesday referred a request to create an ordinance related to customers bringing their own beer or wine to dining establishments to the General Government Committee.
Big Shirl’s owners have recently extended their hours to offer dinner and want to allow BYOB, or “bring your own bottle.” The city solicitor said the practice is legal and the License Commission said it does not fall under its purview. The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission limits BYOB to eating establishments that do not have alcohol licenses.
Mark Lapier said his 40-seat restaurant was too small for the coolers necessary to stock beer and wine and that he didn’t want to be a bar.
“I’m asking for convenience for my customers for 12 hours,” he said. “The more we do in business is more taxes for our city. … We have a high-end clientele; nobody’s going to throw down a 30-pack.”
