Local Licensing Issues

The first resort casino in Massachusetts, scheduled to open later this summer in Springfield, will be able to serve alcohol late into the morning. WAMC reports that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted 4-1 Thursday to approve, with some conditions attached, an alcoholic beverage license for MGM Springfield that will allow drinks to be served on […]

The Norwell Board of Selectmen have revoked the liquor license for Mobil Mart at 89 Washington Street after Norwell Police say the store sold alcohol to minors three times in a 16-day span. At a hearing last month, the Selectmen suspended the liquor license for offenses on August 15 and August 24. “It’s our responsibility, […]

The Stoughton American Legion now faces new legal problems following allegations of a drug and illegal gaming operation. Six people, Denise Black, 59, of Stoughton; Judy Fantucchio, 53, of Stoughton; John Flynn, 71, of Stoughton; Thomas Coyle, 54, of Randolph; Timothy Cruise, 57, of Canton; and Anthony Buccilli, 28, of Stoughton, were all recently arraigned […]

River Styx Brewing, which is planning to open a tap room at 166 Boulder Drive this summer, has secured its alcohol permit from the License Commission. “We’re very thrilled to have this type of a use in our downtown,” Director of Economic Development Mary Jo Bohart said during a public hearing on the license. “As […]

The city of Pittsfield has issued an ultimatum to the Polish Community Club: Get your house in order or likely lose your liquor license. The Berkshire Eagle reports that Licensing Board members urged the club to provide an application for a new liquor license manager at the October board meeting in order to fill a […]

The Dedham Board of Selectmen have said no to a Hooters restaurant. The board voted unanimously to deny the controversial restaurant a liquor license transfer from Summer Shack, the establishment that previously operated at the proposed location. Prior to the vote, Selectman Dennis Teehan said the overwhelming opposition was among the reasons for the vote […]

The day when certain Boston diners can bring their own bottle of chardonnay or can of pale ale to their favorite neighborhood haunt drew closer this week with approval of BYOB by another city panel, as reported by the Boston Globe. The city’s Licensing Board voted unanimously Thursday to allow BYOB — short for “bring […]

There will be one less license request than expected at May’s Annual Town Meeting. Tuesday night, the selectmen voted 4-1 to approve Article 17 which will allow the town to petition the state for two additional restaurant licenses for the Route 140 area from Foxborough Plaza to the Mansfield town line. Chris Mitchell was the […]

Hanover Selectmen suspended the liquor license of the Tedeschi’s on Columbia Road for three days, with two to serve, after the store sold alcohol to three underage teens using a fake out-of-state ID, according to Wicked Local Hanover. A Hanover police officer saw the three underage men from afar drinking beer in the parking lot […]

Target Corp. has applied for a liquor license for the CityTarget going up on Boylston Street in the Fenway neighborhood, a Target spokesperson has confirmed, as reported by the Boston Business Journal. Target Corp.is still waiting to hear if it can sell alcohol when the store opens to the public on July 22, said spokesperson […]

Bring your own booze could become a reality in Boston in the near future. At-large City Councilors Michelle Wu and Stephen Murphy have submitted a proposal to allow smaller restaurants the option of offering BYOB service to diners, reports Universal Hub. Both Wu and Murphy want to end Boston’s ban on “BYOB” options, as a […]

The Northampton City Council agreed to adopt a resolution to create 5 new liquor licenses for 5 existing businesses. Mayor David Narkewicz hopes this is the first step in getting rid of the quota system, and giving local city and towns (like Northampton) the power to issue as many licenses as they see fit. “There’s […]

Newton police made multiple arrests on Jan. 10 at Tedeschi’s Food Shop on Winchester Street. Assigned to liquor enforcement, police spotted a young man head into the store around 8:40 p.m. He left carrying two 30-packs of beer, and loaded it into a gray Jeep with MA plates. Police questioned the man, and seized two […]

The old King Arthur’s Strip Club building in Chelsea was sold to a former produce wholesaler from Quincy, according to the Boston Herald, beating out Revere businessman Charlie Lightbody – who is currently under indictment for wire fraud related to the Wynn casino land deal. Demetrios Vardakostas, who once owned Bostonia Produce and worked out […]

A Grafton package store will have its liquor license suspended for one day and two restaurants will receive written warnings after they were caught serving alcohol to an underage man in November, selectmen voted in early January, as reported by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Police Chief Normand A. Crepeau Jr. recommended that Valley Plaza […]

The Northampton License Commission met last Wednesday night to select the newest recipient of a seasonal liquor license. Bistro Les Gras was awarded the license, after the restaurant’s name was chosen from a vintage spinning raffle drum, as reported by wggb.com “I’m very excited,” says Elizabeth Martinez, Owner of Bistro Les Gras. “I’ve never really […]

The proprietor of Fort Hill Brewery is seeking permission to pour pints of lager for visitors to his state-of-the-art facility on Fort Hill Road in Easthampton. Masslive.com reports that owner and head brewer Eric Berzins appeared before the Easthampton Licensing Board on Monday night with his request. The commission took no immediate action, and agreed […]

The Cape Cod Times reports that the Orleans Board of Selectmen ordered a convenience store’s liquor sales license suspended for three days after a police sting caught an employee selling beer to someone under 21. An employee at the Hess Mart at 401 South Orleans Road on June 20 sold a six-pack of Budweiser Light […]

After sidelining Gov. Deval Patrick’s proposal to make alcohol licensing a purely local responsibility, the House and Senate have approved a few local licensing requests. The House passed a pair of bills based on legislation proposed by Acton Sen. James Eldridge and Holliston Rep. Carolyn Dykema. One bill (H 4311) specifies a license for Panzano […]

Massachusetts liquor stores would be able to open their doors two hours earlier on Sundays under a bill approved by state lawmakers. The Senate on Tuesday passed on a voice vote a bill to allow the retail sale of alcoholic beverages at 10 a.m. on Sundays. Currently retain liquor sales are banned until noon. The […]

Good piece in the Somerville Journal about the liquor license quota system and Governor Patrick’s desire to loosen the current cap and restrictions.