Licenses for Sale

Good piece in the Gloucester Times about the cap/quota system in cities and towns across the state, and recent efforts made to increase the number of liquor licenses available in any given municipality.

The Somerville Journal and wicked local report that the City of Somerville will obtain 10 additional liquor licenses, but control over where those licenses will be granted will remain with the state. The City seems pleased with the new licenses, but would have preferred to exercise full control over them.

Daniel Newcomb, principal of The Atlantic Restaurant Group, based out of Marshfield, a commercial real estate firm that specializes in the sale of restaurants, leasing of restaurant space and liquor licenses throughout the South Shore and the Greater Boston area, has announced the launching of a new division of their services, Atlantic License Brokers. After […]

In an effort to boost business, the Somerville Board of Aldermen is crafting legislation for Beacon Hill that would give the city an unlimited number of beer, wine and liquor licenses to distribute to qualified bars and restaurants, reports the Somerville Journal. Those bars would still need to make a case before the Licensing Commission, […]

Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll’s plan to create three new liquor licenses and allow existing seasonal license holders to sell alcohol year-round failed last week to win the support of the City Council subcommittee charged with reviewing it, reports the Salem News. Driscoll said the proposed changes would encourage new investment in a city already over […]

Barry Gidseg, the owner of The Big Y Plaza in Greenfield, wants a large liquor store to open in the plaza. Gidseg is hoping to buy a liquor license from one of the existing small package stores in town to make it happen. He is even willing to move an existing liquor store and pay […]

The Stoughton Board of Selectmen has given Pete’s Place owner Peter Bersani another month to sell his liquor license, although some board members were reluctant to give the extension, as reported by the Wicked Local Stoughton website. Bersani now has until Nov. 9 to sell the license or it will get revoked, with the town […]

The Boston Globe reported (and quoted yours truly) on the City Council’s decision to clear the way for vendors at Logan International Airport to be granted special liquor licenses, potentially freeing up 13 sought-after licenses now being used at the airport to be sold to establishments throughout the city. The Globe reports that currently 40 […]

The Boston Globe reports that 13 Boston liquor licenses could become available for purchase on the open market if a proposal for a special airport liquor license goes through. The Massachusetts Port Authority, which runs Logan International Airport, is asking the city to grant new restricted airport licenses to the approximately 40 vendors, including restaurants […]