Boston Licensing Board Transactional Hearing 10-14-26
2026-10-14

[0:05] Not present.
[0:07] Yes, thank you, Zach.
[0:10] Good morning. Thank you all very much
[0:12] for joining us. We will be starting in
[0:14] just a moment.
[0:17] As a reminder, as you are joining from
[0:19] the waiting room, please do remain on
[0:20] mute unless or until you are presenting
[0:23] or providing testimony before the board.
[0:56] Just another moment to clear the waiting
[0:57] room.
[1:19] Good morning. This is a hearing before
[1:21] the Licensing Board for the City of
[1:22] Boston. Today is Wednesday, October
[1:24] 14th, 2026. Today's hearing is being
[1:26] held in pursuance to temporary
[1:28] amendments to the open meeting law. That
[1:30] is what allows us to meet virtually.
[1:32] Today's hearing is being recorded and
[1:34] will be posted to the City of Boston's
[1:35] website.
[1:37] Before I review procedural matters, I
[1:39] will introduce chairwoman of the board,
[1:40] Kathleen Joyce.
[1:43] Thank you, Danny. Good morning. My name
[1:44] is Kathleen Joyce. I'm chair of the
[1:45] Boston Licensing Board, and today I'm
[1:47] joined by Commissioner Kiana Saxon.
[1:51] Thank you very much. Please ensure that
[1:52] your audio and visuals are working
[1:54] properly if you will be presenting to
[1:55] the board this morning.
[1:57] I will call each item in the order that
[1:58] it appears on this morning's agenda.
[2:01] I will then ask who is present on behalf
[2:02] of the applicant. You'll make a brief
[2:04] presentation regarding your proposal
[2:06] followed by questions by the chair and
[2:08] commission.
[2:09] Following questions, there will be an
[2:11] opportunity for testimony beginning with
[2:13] elected officials or their
[2:14] representatives.
[2:16] For members of the general public
[2:17] wishing to provide testimony, please
[2:19] limit your testimony to 2 minutes and
[2:21] please state your name, address, and
[2:23] affiliation if any.
[2:25] We begin with the first item on this
[2:27] morning's agenda calling item number
[2:28] one, At Juliet's Taqueria 005 Inc. Doing
[2:31] business as At Juliet's Taqueria located
[2:33] at 1114 Boylston Street has applied for
[2:36] a common victualer license to be
[2:38] exercised on the above 1800 square foot
[2:40] quick service restaurant with a service
[2:42] line, kitchen, two bathrooms, and
[2:44] customer seating on the first floor,
[2:45] walk-in coolers and storage in the
[2:47] basement, and a loft office on the
[2:48] second floor. Hours of operation are
[2:50] Sunday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to
[2:52] 2:00 a.m. and Friday to Saturday 9:00
[2:54] a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Manager at Margaret
[2:56] Pimentel. Who is present on behalf of
[2:58] the applicant?
[3:00] Me, Margaret Pimentel.
[3:02] Thank you for being with us. If you
[3:03] could please briefly present the
[3:04] proposed concept to the board.
[3:06] We are a quick service Mexican
[3:10] establishment looking to uh
[3:13] service at 1114 Boylston Street.
[3:16] We have other sites in the city of
[3:19] Boston and we would like to uh
[3:21] take on this new location.
[3:23] [clears throat]
[3:26] Okay.
[3:27] Um and you Can you go over your hours of
[3:29] operation for the record?
[3:31] Yes.
[3:32] Um it would be um
[3:34] Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to
[3:38] 2:00
[3:40] a.m.
[3:41] Uh and then um
[3:43] Friday and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 2:30
[3:47] and then I forgot Sunday. Sunday would
[3:49] be 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
[3:54] Okay.
[3:56] Um
[3:58] All right, thank you. Um Commissioner
[4:00] Sexton, do you have any questions?
[4:02] I do not. Thank you.
[4:05] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[4:06] would like to testify on this matter
[4:08] beginning with elected officials or
[4:09] their representatives?
[4:11] Yes, Madam Chair, members of the board.
[4:13] Connor Newman with the mayor's office of
[4:14] Neighborhood Services. At this time, the
[4:16] mayor's office would like to defer to
[4:17] the judgment of this board. Some
[4:19] background basically community process.
[4:21] ONS had hosted a butter's meeting on
[4:22] September 21st of this year. The
[4:25] applicant also met with the Fenway Civic
[4:26] Association, which was concerned about
[4:29] the 3:00 a.m. closing time. I understand
[4:31] that they came to an agreement where the
[4:32] applicant has reduced their hours
[4:35] of the proposed closing time to be in
[4:36] line with the Fenway Civic's request.
[4:38] With that, I'll defer to the board.
[4:39] Thank you.
[4:42] Thank you. Are there any other
[4:43] individuals who would like to testify on
[4:44] this matter?
[4:47] Seeing none, the board will take this
[4:48] under advisement. Thank you.
[4:52] Calling out of number two, 477 West
[4:54] Broadway BBLLC doing business as 7th
[4:56] Street Burger located at 475 West
[4:58] Broadway in South Boston. Holder of a
[5:01] common victualer license has petitioned
[5:02] to change the hours of the licensed
[5:04] business from currently 11:00 a.m. to
[5:06] 11:00 p.m. to 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
[5:09] Who is present on behalf of the
[5:11] applicant?
[5:12] Good morning, Secretary Green, Madam
[5:14] Chair, members of the board. Tom Miller
[5:15] from Dermot Crowley Miller & Hanley here
[5:17] on behalf of the licensee. Uh I'm joined
[5:20] today by Frank Perez, Joey Alderman, and
[5:23] Jeff Perille. Uh all members of of the
[5:26] licensee team.
[5:28] Um
[5:29] As the board is aware, this premises
[5:30] located at 477 West Broadway in South
[5:32] Boston.
[5:33] Um though the board is aware, just a
[5:35] quick reminder, 7th Street Burger is a
[5:37] New York-based burger chain co-founded
[5:40] by two college friends. It is known uh
[5:43] for its simple classic menu, uh
[5:45] made-to-order smash burgers, fries, and
[5:47] sodas sodas. Um, they've recently
[5:50] expanded into the Boston market, uh,
[5:53] both uh, at this location and a location
[5:56] in Newbury Street on Back Bay.
[5:58] Uh, they've enjoyed immediate success
[6:00] success and an enthusiastic welcome
[6:02] including positive reviews and strong
[6:04] engagement from the community.
[6:06] Um, 7th Street operates in more than 30
[6:08] communities, uh, along the East Coast.
[6:11] Uh, they are experienced in operating
[6:13] restaurants with late night hours. Most
[6:15] of their spaces, uh, operate with 3:00
[6:17] a.m. and 4:00 a.m. closing hours. Uh,
[6:20] they've done so successfully, uh,
[6:22] without uh, incident at those spaces
[6:24] over the years they've been operating.
[6:27] Um, here they have received
[6:29] the guy they already American
[6:31] Here they have, uh,
[6:33] they've received demands from customers,
[6:35] uh, requests asking for this later hour.
[6:38] Uh, the expanded hours would cater
[6:40] towards, uh, workers who are getting off
[6:42] shifts later at night from whether it is
[6:45] a hotel,
[6:46] uh, other restaurant employees, uh,
[6:49] students, residents, uh, visitors to the
[6:51] area. All all people who are looking for
[6:54] a bite to eat, uh, as they're on their
[6:56] way home depend regardless of where
[6:58] they're coming from.
[6:59] Um, in context here this neighborhood
[7:02] and this block specifically, there are
[7:03] five locations in the immediate area
[7:06] with a 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. closing hour
[7:07] including two CV only licenses within
[7:10] 300 ft that have either a 2:00 or 3:00
[7:12] a.m. closing.
[7:13] Um, since they've opened here they have
[7:15] been good neighbors. They have operated
[7:17] with clean facilities, uh, 7-day a-week
[7:19] trash pickup. Their, uh, trash is stored
[7:22] in rodent proof dumpsters. Um, they have
[7:25] a well-trained, uh, staff who recognize,
[7:28] address, and prevent issues from coming,
[7:31] uh, becoming a problem. They make sure
[7:34] that their area both inside and outside
[7:36] the restaurant is clean. They do they
[7:39] prevent loitering in and around the
[7:40] area.
[7:41] Um, as Connor will speak to later, we
[7:43] did have an abutter's meeting where we
[7:45] did hear concerns related to the closing
[7:47] hour and other issues.
[7:48] Um, as I've stated, this operator is
[7:52] very experienced in the operating in the
[7:54] operation of this type of restaurant in
[7:56] later hours in a way that is an amenity
[7:58] and benefit to the community.
[8:00] Uh, they don't have this the same issues
[8:04] that some of the other later operations
[8:06] do. Uh, they have successfully operated
[8:09] both here and back Bay
[8:11] uh, without [clears throat] an issue and
[8:13] you know,
[8:14] uh,
[8:15] the Newbury Street location has operated
[8:17] for a period of time now with a later
[8:19] closing hour uh, successfully and as far
[8:21] as we are aware without issue. They
[8:23] understand that their business does
[8:25] affect the neighborhood. That's why they
[8:27] operate like they do as good neighbors
[8:29] and good residents.
[8:31] Uh,
[8:32] because they have their staff lives and
[8:34] works in this community as well.
[8:36] Um, they have
[8:38] been good neighbors and will continue to
[8:39] be.
[8:40] Um, approval of this application will
[8:42] allow uh, Seven Street to meet the
[8:45] demands the customers have asked for and
[8:47] provide an amenity
[8:49] other than late night pizza or tacos
[8:52] that will serve the community members
[8:54] who are looking for a late night option
[8:56] beyond uh, 11:00 p.m.
[8:59] With that, I want to thank you for
[9:01] hearing the application today. We're
[9:02] happy to answer any questions you have.
[9:07] Thank you.
[9:08] Um, couple questions. What are the two
[9:10] um,
[9:12] places nearby that also have
[9:15] food only till 2:00 a.m.?
[9:17] Uh, Land of Pizza has a at 445 West
[9:20] Broadway has a 2:00 a.m. CD license.
[9:24] And Amsterdam and Broadway's Best at 483
[9:27] East Broadway, which is literally 150 ft
[9:30] away, uh, has a 3:00 a.m. CD license
[9:33] closure.
[9:35] Okay.
[9:36] One of my issues here, I don't dispute
[9:39] that they're good operators and they do
[9:41] a good job operating their establishment
[9:44] here and on Newbury Street. One of my
[9:46] issues is
[9:48] um
[9:49] dispersal on this particular strip of
[9:52] Broadway. We've got Lincoln and Capo and
[9:55] other bars. And then I think one of the
[9:57] goals
[9:59] of um the board is to make sure that
[10:01] there is good dispersal at night. And
[10:05] adding yet another licensee, which isn't
[10:07] going to be It sounds like you're you're
[10:08] describing this as not a quick hit slice
[10:10] of pizza and then moving on, but where
[10:12] people might linger. I think
[10:15] the question is how is this going to
[10:16] contribute to
[10:17] um
[10:18] the issues we have with Ubers and double
[10:21] parked cars and people getting out at
[10:23] night and congregating on this block of
[10:26] um
[10:28] of West Broadway West Broadway. So yes,
[10:31] I I don't dispute that they're good
[10:33] operators, but is this a good business
[10:35] plan for this location is what my
[10:37] questions and concerns are. Um and how
[10:39] this is going to contribute to the
[10:41] congestion
[10:42] um at dispersal time.
[10:45] So um and um one of the team members can
[10:48] correct me if I'm wrong, but uh my
[10:49] understanding is I actually don't
[10:50] believe there's seating at this
[10:51] location. So it is not a place that
[10:54] people will come and linger. Uh it is a
[10:56] place where people will they can order
[10:58] ahead on an app, walk in, pick it up, or
[11:00] walk in, order it. They turn it, you
[11:02] know, turns around. And as I said, the
[11:04] team here it did So people are not
[11:06] hanging out here. Uh it is something
[11:08] they can grab on their way home. And you
[11:10] know, uh as I said, the team here both
[11:13] at both their locations in Boston and
[11:15] their other locations
[11:16] uh work to make sure people are not
[11:18] hanging around causing a nuisance and
[11:20] causing problems.
[11:21] Um it's part of their training and part
[11:23] of their their staff model to move
[11:25] people along.
[11:26] Like I said, they
[11:28] really do work to be good neighbors and
[11:30] they understand as I said that this
[11:31] effect that how they operate affects
[11:34] their their neighbors and they they
[11:36] don't want to be a detriment. They want
[11:38] to serve the need that they're seeing
[11:41] from people who want something other
[11:42] than a slice of pizza
[11:44] in a way that
[11:46] benefits everybody.
[11:48] So, tell me about the third-party
[11:50] deliveries at night.
[11:51] Um
[11:52] it it where do they stop? Um
[11:56] How much of your business is
[11:59] uh third-party deliveries, DoorDash,
[12:01] um Uber Eats?
[12:03] Um I know it was originally not part of
[12:06] their model. I do believe recently they
[12:07] have started doing those.
[12:09] Um I don't have the numbers, but I I'm
[12:11] not sure if uh either Frank or Jeff or
[12:15] Joey can speak to that specifically.
[12:19] 20% of our business at this location.
[12:22] I'm sorry, Frank, can you speak up a
[12:24] little bit? It's kind of hard to hear
[12:25] you.
[12:26] 15 to 20% of the business.
[12:30] It's much lower than what we see in New
[12:32] York.
[12:33] Overall or between the late-night hours?
[12:36] I'm I'm more about like what's happening
[12:38] late night. Um
[12:41] because I've been there um doing
[12:43] inspections very recently and
[12:46] the there are issues
[12:49] um when the bar is closed
[12:51] with the street being congested, double
[12:53] parking, third-party deliveries.
[12:56] It's consistent across times, I would
[12:58] say.
[13:00] Okay.
[13:00] We don't see much difference.
[13:02] And how long have you been open here?
[13:04] We've been open since April of 2026.
[13:08] Okay. And so, that that's another thing.
[13:10] Um
[13:11] You've just opened. It hasn't been even
[13:14] what are we just at 6 months? Um
[13:18] I'd love to hear more from the community
[13:20] about how the first few months have gone
[13:23] and um what you've you know, how the
[13:26] communication has been.
[13:28] Um so, I will I might have other
[13:29] questions after, but Commissioner Saxon,
[13:31] do you have any questions?
[13:32] Um just a quick one. Just remind me, are
[13:34] there any tables and or chairs, either
[13:36] high top, low top?
[13:38] There's no no chairs at this location.
[13:40] There's a standing rail on the back, but
[13:43] past when we close, we have we ask
[13:45] people to leave and not linger.
[13:48] Thank you.
[13:50] Thank you. If there are no further
[13:51] questions from the board, I will ask if
[13:53] there are any individuals who would like
[13:54] to testify on this matter, beginning
[13:55] with elected officials or their
[13:56] representatives.
[13:58] Yes, Madam Chair, members of the board.
[14:00] Connor Newman with the mayor's office of
[14:01] Neighborhood Services. This time the
[14:03] mayor's office deferred to the judgment
[14:04] of this board. Some background
[14:06] information on the community process, we
[14:08] had hosted an abutter's meeting on June
[14:10] 10th, 2026.
[14:12] As you heard from the applicant's
[14:13] representation, there were a number of
[14:14] residents there that expressed concerns
[14:16] related to this proposal, if not
[14:17] opposition.
[14:19] Concerns that this would contribute to
[14:21] already
[14:23] existing challenges on this portion of
[14:25] Broadway.
[14:27] Residents feeling that by adding more
[14:29] options for late night dining, it would
[14:31] be trending in the wrong direction for
[14:33] this neighborhood.
[14:34] And other residents expressed that they
[14:36] didn't feel this business had been
[14:37] opened up long enough,
[14:39] only just a few months to begin already
[14:42] aggressively changing their hours of
[14:44] operation.
[14:46] Some residents expressed they'd like to
[14:47] see more continued relationship building
[14:50] with the community before an opportunity
[14:52] like this is is pursued.
[14:54] Regarding civics, Cityside Civic and
[14:57] Saint Vincent Lo-and, we're alerted to
[14:59] this proposal.
[15:01] That being said, to reiterate, we did
[15:02] hear a number of concerns. With that,
[15:04] I'll defer to the board. Thank you.
[15:07] Thank you. I do see a hand raised by
[15:09] Ashley from Councillor Flynn's office.
[15:11] Hi, my name's Ashley from Councillor
[15:12] Flynn's office. Councillor Flynn would
[15:14] like to go on record today in strong
[15:16] opposition of 7th Street Burger's
[15:18] application to change the closing time
[15:20] from 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. He
[15:22] submitted a letter to the board as well
[15:24] this morning. Throughout the community
[15:26] process, many nearby residents also
[15:28] contacted our office in opposition due
[15:30] to the president that this will set on
[15:32] West Broadway and concerns on making
[15:34] existing neighborhood and quality of
[15:35] life issues worse with customers
[15:37] visiting the site until 2:00 a.m. up to
[15:40] an hour after many of the existing
[15:42] establishments will have closed at 1:00
[15:44] a.m.
[15:45] As our office related at the abutter's
[15:47] meeting in June, Councilor Flynn is also
[15:49] concerned about both our existing
[15:51] pedestrian safety and pest control
[15:53] crisis in South Boston
[15:55] and near Perkins Square specifically.
[15:57] Councilor Flynn is respectfully
[15:58] requesting that the Licensing Board take
[16:00] the concerns of the near neighbors
[16:01] seriously, recognize the impact of
[16:03] customers visiting the site up to an
[16:06] hour after nearby establishments have
[16:08] long closed at 1:00 a.m. and deny the
[16:10] application at this time. Thank you.
[16:13] Thank you, Ashley. Are there any other
[16:14] individuals who would like to testify on
[16:16] this matter?
[16:19] Yes, Mr. Rich, I see you with a hand
[16:21] raised. You may uh
[16:22] register your testimony. You have 2
[16:23] minutes.
[16:24] Thank you. Hi, how are you? I just want
[16:26] to begin by the
[16:28] I'm from New York and New York is the
[16:29] city that doesn't sleep, but we do sleep
[16:32] here in Boston.
[16:34] Um
[16:35] I am opposed to this because I live I'm
[16:38] a direct abutter. I live only feet away,
[16:42] probably
[16:43] 50 to 100 ft maybe, but our street is
[16:48] Silver Street off of G Street and
[16:52] Dorchester Streets and um
[16:55] we get all kinds of traffic, pedestrian,
[16:58] resident traffic
[17:01] after midnight and it's constant, 24
[17:06] hours, I mean, 24/7
[17:08] and it's coming from the bars, mostly at
[17:11] night. So, after midnight
[17:13] every night, not just the weekends. And
[17:16] there's screaming,
[17:18] there's singing, and we are awakened
[17:21] every night
[17:22] and it's it I'm not looking forward to
[17:25] something like this because it also will
[17:28] bring trash.
[17:31] Um
[17:32] they'll walk up the street. They all cut
[17:34] through our street for some reason. They
[17:36] all know where it is because it's right
[17:37] between Fat Baby and Hunter's, who we've
[17:40] had a great relationship with up to this
[17:43] point.
[17:44] And um
[17:46] the noise would be horrific for us again
[17:49] to have extra traffic coming through
[17:51] there.
[17:53] Um the quality of life is definitely
[17:55] upset.
[17:57] Um
[17:59] there was something else I heard. I
[18:01] looked up Lindo Pizza and I looked up
[18:04] Amsterdam. They advertise Amsterdam that
[18:08] they close at 10:00 p.m. every night.
[18:11] Lindo's Lindo Pizza is only it closes at
[18:15] 2:00 a.m.
[18:16] Friday, Saturday and the other nights
[18:20] 9:00 p.m. That's what it says on there.
[18:22] I just looked it up when I learned that
[18:24] those were the two.
[18:25] I'm just more concerned about our
[18:27] quality of life from the rap is rats,
[18:30] noise, the extra food around. It's just
[18:33] It's not good as it is and just another
[18:36] establishment trying to do this in the
[18:38] late night um noise is
[18:42] what I'm most fearful of. I really don't
[18:44] want it because we do need our sleep and
[18:46] I'm up every single night
[18:49] between 12:00 and 2:00.
[18:52] Not Not constant, but I'm I'm awakened
[18:56] at some point between that hour.
[18:57] Ma'am, you are at your two minutes. You
[18:59] have 30 seconds for two minutes. If
[19:00] there's a final point you'd like
[19:01] Thank you. That's it.
[19:02] much. Are there any other individuals
[19:04] who would like to testify on this
[19:05] matter?
[19:08] Hello. I'm Amanda Jerome. I am at 367
[19:13] Silver Street.
[19:14] Many of the same sentiments that Ms.
[19:17] Fritsch shared, I share the same.
[19:20] This street is 100% a pass-through
[19:24] for both the
[19:26] food
[19:28] drivers on their scooters in addition to
[19:31] people walking up and down the street
[19:32] getting their way to the bars and
[19:35] or home.
[19:36] So, I'm I'm concerned that having
[19:38] another restaurant or another food
[19:40] service establishment open late would
[19:42] just add more foot traffic, more
[19:45] disruption to the neighborhood.
[19:47] I I have two young boys, so my kids are
[19:51] two and five. I really don't want that
[19:53] type of
[19:55] continued activity
[19:57] on our street late at night.
[20:00] I'm concerned about the trash, the
[20:01] waste, potential for increased rodent
[20:03] activity. I do appreciate everything
[20:06] that has been said that, you know, they
[20:08] are
[20:09] being good neighbors to us and I haven't
[20:12] had any issues with the establishment.
[20:14] In fact, we've eaten there a few times.
[20:17] I just really do oppose the extension
[20:20] operating until 2:00 a.m. It's just too
[20:22] late.
[20:25] Thank you very much. Are there any other
[20:26] individuals who would like to testify on
[20:27] this matter?
[20:31] Any further questions from the board
[20:32] following testimony?
[20:35] Seeing none, the board will take this
[20:36] under advisement as well. Thank you all.
[20:40] Calling out of number three, 127 Tremont
[20:42] Street LLC doing business as The Monty
[20:44] Boston located at 127 Tremont Street has
[20:46] applied for an innholder no alcohol
[20:48] license to be exercised on the above is
[20:50] a six-story mixed-use building located
[20:52] at 127 Tremont Street. The ground floor
[20:54] consists of commercial space currently
[20:56] unoccupied. Floors two through six are
[20:58] utilized for hotel use. The building
[21:00] contains a total of five full floor
[21:01] hotel suites, one suite per floor. Each
[21:04] suite is approximately 2,100 to 2,150
[21:07] square feet and includes three bedrooms
[21:09] and three to three and a half bathrooms
[21:11] for a total of 15 bedrooms across the
[21:12] building. Each suite is accessed
[21:14] directly via elevator providing private
[21:16] entry. Manager Gregory J. Grant, who is
[21:19] present on behalf of the applicant.
[21:22] Uh good morning Secretary Green, Madam
[21:24] Chair, members of the board, Attorney
[21:25] Nick Zulla of McDermott Quilty Miller
[21:28] and Hanley, 20 State Street in Boston.
[21:31] Uh here on behalf of 127 Tremont Street
[21:33] LLC D B A De Monte. Uh with me today is
[21:37] Mr. Paul Grant uh who is uh on the
[21:40] application.
[21:41] Uh he is the long-time property owner of
[21:44] approximately 10 years. Uh we also have
[21:46] Peter McLaughlin who's one of the
[21:48] managers of the of the proposed hotel
[21:50] and property. Uh he also has lots of
[21:52] experience in the business not only uh
[21:54] at this site but uh at other uh similar
[21:57] sites uh in the Boston area.
[22:00] Um this
[22:02] uh 127 Tremont is located near uh Park
[22:05] Street and Downtown Crossing. Uh it's
[22:07] adjacent to Suffolk Law School and it is
[22:11] immediately next door to the new
[22:13] forthcoming uh Holocaust Museum for
[22:16] Boston. Um it's most recently been
[22:18] utilized as a five-unit uh residential
[22:22] multi-family building for corporate and
[22:24] hospital stays.
[22:26] Um so it's already kind of been used for
[22:28] similar use.
[22:29] Um they are contemporary fully furnished
[22:32] three-bedroom suites. So every uh
[22:34] there's five floors above a ground floor
[22:38] uh commercial space and each floor
[22:41] includes a uh three-bedroom suite of
[22:44] about
[22:45] uh 2150
[22:47] square feet. Um there are no changes to
[22:50] the building uh for this proposal.
[22:53] But what they're looking to do is just
[22:55] officially change their use and
[22:57] occupancy uh in their in in apply for
[23:00] licensing from a residential use to this
[23:02] hotel use
[23:04] Um doesn't need zoning relief. Hotel use
[23:07] here is allowed at the location.
[23:09] So they're applying for that in holder
[23:12] no liquor license with the board here
[23:14] today in order to officially change the
[23:16] occupancy to this hotel use. And they do
[23:21] have a lot of operational experience and
[23:24] standards
[23:25] at this location already. They have
[23:28] cleaning and security in place.
[23:31] They have guest check-in and review
[23:33] policies similar to
[23:35] other establishments that have recently
[23:37] been approved by this board including
[23:39] earlier this year just around the corner
[23:41] on Hamilton Place.
[23:43] Where folks who are guests at the
[23:47] location need to upload government ID,
[23:50] fill out forms,
[23:52] go through a rigorous a check-in
[23:54] process.
[23:56] They do have secure building security
[23:58] access in place via an app.
[24:02] Elevator access is only to the specific
[24:04] floor where you are staying and where
[24:06] you have given access through that app.
[24:08] The general public cannot enter
[24:11] in any way. There's no lobby or check-in
[24:15] facility. It's all handled
[24:17] electronically through their
[24:19] programming. But that being said, they
[24:21] are an experienced team. They are very
[24:24] local in the city. Both live very
[24:26] locally. Both Paul and Peter. They are
[24:29] nearby with 24/7 access and responses.
[24:33] There are property cameras and noise
[24:36] detectors in place as well.
[24:38] And they have a great downtown rooftop
[24:42] green roof and terrace as well, which is
[24:44] one of the only ones in the city that
[24:46] also operates for their storm water and
[24:48] infiltration management. Guests will
[24:51] have access to that as well. It's very
[24:53] small and only has room for a few folks
[24:55] on it. But they will have access to the
[24:58] app as well to that area.
[25:01] I believe the mayor's office will speak
[25:03] to this, but we did have an abutter
[25:04] meeting on July 15th. It was very
[25:07] lightly attended and there were no
[25:08] concerns.
[25:09] We met with the Downtown Boston Alliance
[25:11] back in July.
[25:13] We met with the Downtown Boston
[25:15] Neighborhood Association
[25:17] actually yesterday. I believe they
[25:19] emailed in their support to you all as
[25:21] well, Madam Chair. And we did
[25:25] also engage in, you know, individual
[25:26] abutter outreach and neighborhood
[25:28] outreach during the process. There were
[25:29] no issues.
[25:31] Paul and Peter have been in the
[25:32] neighborhood for a while. Everyone knows
[25:34] who they are.
[25:35] And they're very well experienced as a
[25:38] result. So, again, pretty
[25:40] straightforward application. Looking to
[25:42] just formalize kind of a hotel use
[25:44] through the in holder application
[25:46] process with you all. But, happy to
[25:48] answer any any questions that you might
[25:50] have either myself,
[25:52] Paul, or Peter. So, thank you.
[25:56] Thanks, attorney. You did answer most of
[25:58] my questions in your presentation. My
[26:01] only question is
[26:02] Gregory Grant is listed as the manager.
[26:06] Will he be there
[26:08] like a certain number of hours a week?
[26:11] Paul Grant is the manager of record.
[26:14] Okay. That was
[26:14] on the application. Greg Greg Grant is
[26:16] an LLC manager, Madam Chair.
[26:19] So, Paul Grant is actually listed as a
[26:21] manager of record. He's with us and on
[26:23] today. Between him and Peter, they will
[26:25] be on the property very frequently and
[26:27] and they already are. Greg is Paul's
[26:30] brother. He is an LLC manager
[26:33] on the, you know, on the LLC entity side
[26:36] of things. So, just like with the liquor
[26:37] license application you know, Paul Paul
[26:40] will be manager of record who will be
[26:43] present very frequently. And between him
[26:45] and Peter, they'll be they'll be there a
[26:47] lot. I don't know the hours breakdown if
[26:48] you're asking that, but they're there
[26:50] all the time now. And
[26:51] That makes sense. Just I I saw in front
[26:53] of me, but I didn't see Greg on the
[26:55] screen. So, Paul, um
[26:57] I guess my question is for you. Do you
[26:59] have a set number of hours that you're
[27:00] there during the week or how how um
[27:04] how do people get in in touch with you
[27:05] if there's an issue? Do you have a
[27:07] 24-hour number?
[27:10] So, Peter and I are available 24 hours
[27:13] um to be contacted. Uh I'm there not a
[27:16] set number of hours uh uh per day, but I
[27:19] check in every day there. We visit the
[27:21] property.
[27:22] And then Peter can speak to the amount
[27:25] of communication that he has with the
[27:27] guests.
[27:29] Um there it's always available through
[27:31] an app. And um he has a you know, a good
[27:35] uh
[27:36] uh conversation uh with all the guests
[27:38] as they come through prior to, during,
[27:40] and then afterwards if they want to
[27:42] leave reviews, et cetera.
[27:45] Okay, that's very helpful. I appreciate
[27:46] that. Um
[27:48] I have no further questions.
[27:50] Commissioner Saxon, do you have any
[27:51] questions?
[27:52] I do not. Thank you.
[27:54] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[27:56] would like to testify on this matter
[27:57] beginning with elected officials or
[27:58] their representatives?
[28:00] Yes, Madam Chair, members of the board.
[28:01] Connor Newman with the Mayor's Office of
[28:03] Neighborhood Services. This time the
[28:04] Mayor's Office to defer to the judgment
[28:06] of this board. Some background
[28:08] information on the community process.
[28:09] ONS had hosted a community meeting on
[28:11] July 15th. As you heard, it was lightly
[28:13] attended. Uh there were some questions
[28:15] uh just about process that was that was
[28:17] asked that the applicant was able to
[28:18] address. Uh they were connected uh with
[28:20] the Downtown Business Association as
[28:23] well as the Downtown Boston Neighborhood
[28:25] Association. Uh we did hear concerns
[28:28] from one uh resident that the rooms were
[28:30] already being advertised online, uh
[28:32] which we did flag for the Inspectional
[28:34] Services Department, but uh with no
[28:36] further information we'll defer to the
[28:37] board. Thank you.
[28:40] Thank you, Connor. I do see Ashley with
[28:41] her hand raised. Can you please provide
[28:42] your testimony?
[28:44] Thank you. My name's Ashley from
[28:45] Councilor Flynn's office. Councilor
[28:47] Flynn would like to go on record in
[28:48] support. Thank you.
[28:50] Thank you. Are there any other
[28:50] individuals who would like to testify on
[28:52] this matter?
[28:56] And I do see on the application that the
[28:58] manager of proposed manager of record is
[29:00] Paul Grant, so we will make sure to
[29:02] correct that.
[29:03] If there are no further individuals
[29:05] wishing to provide testimony, the board
[29:06] will take this matter under advisement.
[29:08] Thank you.
[29:11] Calling item number four, Bostonian
[29:13] Hotel Limited Partnership doing business
[29:14] as The Bostonian Boston Millennium Hotel
[29:17] located at 20 to 60 North Street, holder
[29:19] of an innholder all alcoholic beverages
[29:20] license, has petitioned to change the
[29:22] manager from Alexander DeCarvalho to
[29:24] Neil Dang, who is present on behalf of
[29:26] the applicant.
[29:35] Uh is Mr. Dang with us?
[29:40] We will contact the licensee and take a
[29:43] second call.
[29:47] Calling item number five, Yard House USA
[29:48] Inc. doing business as Yard House
[29:50] located at 110 Huntington Ave, holder of
[29:52] a common victualer seven-day all
[29:53] alcoholic beverages license, has
[29:55] petitioned to change the manager from
[29:57] Michael Hennessy to Brian Saunders,
[29:58] who's present on behalf of the
[29:59] applicant.
[30:00] Uh Brian Saunders.
[30:04] Um thank you, Mr. Saunders, for joining
[30:07] us.
[30:08] Um I'm just going to go through the
[30:11] standard manager of record questions
[30:13] that the City of Boston Licensing Board
[30:15] asks.
[30:16] Um are you a citizen or do you have work
[30:18] authorization?
[30:20] Uh citizen.
[30:21] Do you live in Massachusetts?
[30:23] Yes, ma'am.
[30:24] What is your experience in the food and
[30:26] beverage industry?
[30:27] Um I've been with um Darden the rest
[30:30] Darden Restaurants that owns Yard House
[30:31] for 22 years. I'm currently listed as
[30:34] the ABC manager for the Fenway location,
[30:38] um but I changed locations, so we're
[30:39] just swapping me over to the new
[30:41] location.
[30:42] Okay, thank you. And so, um you have
[30:46] familiarity with our rules and
[30:47] regulations and the laws of the ABCC in
[30:50] the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
[30:52] Yes.
[30:52] Okay, thank you for joining us today. No
[30:54] other questions. Commissioner Saxon?
[30:57] Nothing to add, thank you.
[30:58] Thank you.
[30:59] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[31:00] would like to testify on this matter?
[31:04] The board will take this under
[31:05] advisement. Thank you.
[31:08] Calling out of number six, Yard House
[31:09] USA Inc. doing business as Yard House
[31:11] located at 126 Brookline Ave, holder of
[31:14] a common victualer 7-day alcoholic
[31:16] beverages license, has petitioned to
[31:17] change the manager from Brian Saunders
[31:19] to Richard Maldonado. Who's present on
[31:21] behalf of the applicant?
[31:28] And is Mr. Maldonado with us?
[31:33] We will take a second call on this item
[31:35] as well.
[31:37] Calling out of number seven, the First
[31:39] Watch Restaurants Inc. doing business as
[31:41] First Watch number 1180 located at 777
[31:44] Boylston Street, holder of a common
[31:45] victualer 7-day alcoholic beverages
[31:47] license, has petitioned for a change of
[31:49] officers. Who's present on behalf of the
[31:51] applicant?
[32:00] Do we have anybody with us on behalf of
[32:01] First Watch?
[32:07] We will contact the licensee and take a
[32:09] second call. Calling item number eight,
[32:12] items eight and nine, Sodexo Operations
[32:15] LLC doing business as Chase Sapphire
[32:18] Lounge by The Club located at 200
[32:21] Airport Terminal, located Airport
[32:22] Terminal B, and doing business as The
[32:24] Lounge located at 300 located Airport
[32:26] Terminal C in East Boston, holder of two
[32:28] airport common victualer 7-day alcoholic
[32:30] beverages licenses have petitioned for a
[32:32] change of officers, directors, LLC
[32:34] managers. And at the Lounge location has
[32:38] also petitioned to change the manager
[32:39] from Kevin Radiker to John Bonderik.
[32:42] Who's present on behalf of these two
[32:43] licensees?
[32:45] [clears throat]
[32:46] Good morning, board. My name is John
[32:47] Bonderik, operations director for the
[32:48] lounge in Terminal C.
[32:51] Good morning. My name is Robert
[32:53] Gorgones. I am the food and beverage
[32:54] director for the Chase Sapphire Lounge,
[32:56] Boston Logan.
[32:58] Thank you very much. If you could please
[32:58] walk us through the proposed changes.
[33:03] So, my lounge has changed the uh
[33:05] management name from Kevin Radiker to
[33:06] myself, John Bonderik.
[33:10] Mr. Bonderik, are you
[33:13] a citizen or do you have work
[33:14] authorization?
[33:16] I'm a citizen.
[33:17] Do you live in Massachusetts?
[33:19] Yes, we do.
[33:20] What is your experience in the food and
[33:21] beverage industry?
[33:23] Over 10 years in supermarket management,
[33:25] as well as running MB Spirits, Market
[33:27] Basket liquor store.
[33:29] Most recently before this position, 3
[33:31] years as assistant store director of
[33:32] Roche Bros. in Downtown Crossing in
[33:34] Boston.
[33:35] Which also had liquor.
[33:37] And as of 1 year,
[33:39] operations director for the lounge in
[33:41] Terminal C. What's the next step?
[33:44] Are you familiar with the rules and
[33:45] regulations of this board, the ABC,
[33:48] and the laws of the Commonwealth
[33:49] pertaining to the sale and service of
[33:51] alcohol?
[33:52] Yes, ma'am.
[33:53] Okay. Um
[33:55] next question for either one of you, um
[33:58] with this petition for changes of
[34:01] officers, directors, LLC managers, are
[34:04] there any other operational changes
[34:06] taking place?
[34:08] No.
[34:13] Okay, I have no questions. Commissioner
[34:15] Saxon, do you have any questions?
[34:17] No questions to add. Thank you.
[34:20] Thank you. And Mr. Gorgones, were you
[34:21] able to just uh describe the change of
[34:23] officers and directors?
[34:26] Yes, so that that would be my that would
[34:28] be myself. I have been involved um
[34:30] with the Unit for 3 and 1/2 years since
[34:32] our inception Um and I've been in the
[34:35] restaurant business for over 20 years.
[34:40] Thank you. Any questions from the board
[34:41] regarding these two transactions?
[34:43] No, thanks. No, thank you.
[34:45] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[34:46] would like to testify on these two
[34:47] matters?
[34:50] Seeing none, the board will take these
[34:51] under advisement.
[34:54] Thank you.
[34:56] Thank you. Calling item number 10,
[34:58] Global Montello Group Corp doing
[35:00] business as Global Montello Group Corp
[35:02] number 2777,
[35:04] located at 470 Meridian Street in East
[35:06] Boston. Holder of a retail package store
[35:08] all alcoholic beverages license has
[35:10] petitioned to change the manager of the
[35:12] licensed business from Akramul Pigeon to
[35:14] Douglas Dow and has petitioned for a
[35:16] change of officers and directors.
[35:18] Attorney John Aida, attorney Aida.
[35:21] Uh yes, good morning Madam Chair,
[35:23] members of the board. Kevin Butler from
[35:25] McDermott, Quilty, Miller and Hanley on
[35:27] behalf of the licensee.
[35:29] Um I'm also joined by the proposed
[35:30] manager of record, Douglas Dow.
[35:33] Um as attorney Green stated, we are here
[35:35] for a change of officers and a change of
[35:37] manager of record. Um the change of
[35:39] officers has no impact on the operations
[35:41] of the license and is simply to reflect
[35:44] the corporate officers listed on file
[35:45] with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
[35:47] Um and as to the change of manager of
[35:49] record, Douglas is a US citizen, a
[35:52] resident of Everett, has about 8 years
[35:55] of experience with the licensee and is
[35:57] familiar with the laws of the
[35:58] Commonwealth, rules of the ABCC and this
[36:00] board pertaining to the sale and service
[36:02] of alcohol.
[36:03] Um with that, thank you for hearing this
[36:05] and I'm happy to answer any questions.
[36:09] Um
[36:10] Is Mr. Dow on the hearing?
[36:13] Uh yes, I believe I saw him somewhere.
[36:16] Let me uh
[36:18] Uh yes, his camera is not on, Mr. Dow.
[36:21] Voice.
[36:22] I see that.
[36:23] Oh, is he
[36:25] Yeah, Douglas, could you just turn on
[36:26] your camera?
[36:36] Good morning.
[36:38] Oh, there he is.
[36:39] Here we go.
[36:39] Joining us. Yeah.
[36:41] Um
[36:42] I with that have no questions,
[36:44] Commissioner. Commissioner Saxon, do
[36:46] you?
[36:46] None for me, thank you.
[36:48] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[36:49] would like to testify on this matter?
[36:53] Um I see Michael Lenkowski with your
[36:56] hand raised. Is that on this item?
[36:58] It is not. I am with First Watch. I
[36:59] couldn't get my phone unmuted uh quick
[37:02] enough for you, and I apologize. So, I
[37:04] know I'm not right now, but I am on the
[37:06] call for First Watch restaurants. I
[37:07] apologize.
[37:09] Thank you for that. We'll come back to
[37:10] you in just a moment.
[37:11] Thank you.
[37:12] Seeing no individuals who would like to
[37:13] testify on number 10, the board will
[37:15] take this under advisement. Thank you.
[37:17] Thank you.
[37:19] Um
[37:21] we will move forward. Item number
[37:24] Item number 11, Polish American Citizens
[37:26] Club of South Boston, Inc. Located at 82
[37:29] to 84 Boston Street in Dorchester,
[37:30] holder of a club all alcoholic beverages
[37:32] license, has petitioned for a change of
[37:35] officers, directors, has also petitioned
[37:36] to change the manager from Joseph Novak
[37:38] to Stanislawa Kapryszak, who is present
[37:41] on behalf of the applicant.
[37:44] Um I'm Steve Popatak. I'm a director of
[37:46] the club, and I'm joined by
[37:48] Stanislawa Kapryszak. You did a good job
[37:51] on that name.
[37:52] I I tried.
[37:55] Uh thank you, Mr. Popatak. Uh Ms.
[37:57] Kapryszak, would you like to briefly
[37:58] outline the proposed changes to the
[37:59] board?
[38:00] Uh we are uh we are requesting uh an
[38:03] update uh to the officers to be
[38:04] consistent with the current officers of
[38:06] the club as filed with the Secretary of
[38:08] State. We are also uh petitioning for a
[38:11] change of manager uh to be updated to
[38:14] reflect that Stanislawa is uh is
[38:17] managing the club.
[38:21] Okay, thank you.
[38:23] Um
[38:24] I am going to ask ask Ms. Kapshack, the
[38:28] manager of record, questions.
[38:30] Um are you a citizen or do you have work
[38:32] authorization?
[38:33] Yes.
[38:35] Do you live in Massachusetts?
[38:37] Yes.
[38:38] What is your experience in the food and
[38:40] beverage industry?
[38:42] I've been running the club for almost
[38:44] over 10 years.
[38:46] So, it's
[38:48] it's not easy, but it's good.
[38:49] Thank you.
[38:50] Okay, good. Are you familiar with the
[38:52] rules and regulations of our board, the
[38:54] ABCC, and the laws of the Commonwealth
[38:56] pertaining to the sale and service of
[38:58] alcohol?
[38:59] Yes.
[39:00] Okay, that's it. Commissioner Sexton, do
[39:02] you have any questions?
[39:03] I do not. Thank you.
[39:06] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[39:07] would like to testify in this matter?
[39:11] The board will take this under
[39:12] advisement. Oh, sorry, I do see Ashley
[39:13] with her hand raised.
[39:15] Thank you, Counselor. If I'm allowed to
[39:16] go on record in support. Thank you.
[39:18] Thank you very much. Are there any other
[39:19] individuals who would like to testify in
[39:20] this matter?
[39:23] Board will take this under advisement.
[39:25] Thank you.
[39:27] On item 12, Polish American Political
[39:29] Club of Hyde Park, doing business as the
[39:31] Polish Club, located at 1391 River
[39:33] Street in Hyde Park, holder of a club
[39:35] all alcoholic beverages license, has
[39:36] petitioned for a change of officers
[39:38] directors, and has petitioned to change
[39:40] the manager from Robert Hickey to
[39:41] William Thomas, who is present on behalf
[39:43] of the applicant.
[39:46] William Thomas.
[39:48] I can't seem to get my camera working,
[39:50] though.
[39:51] Something should have just popped up on
[39:52] your screen. I've just asked you to
[39:53] start your video.
[39:55] There we go. We can see you now.
[39:57] All right, good.
[39:58] Perfect. [clears throat]
[40:00] All right, uh Mr. Thomas, if you could
[40:01] just uh please briefly um explain to the
[40:04] board the uh change of officers
[40:05] directors, and then the chair will have
[40:06] some questions about your uh
[40:07] qualifications for change of manager.
[40:09] Yeah, we're looking to change. Um I want
[40:11] I'm going to become manager uh from
[40:13] Robert Hickey, who has resigned and
[40:16] moved on. Um and the board same with the
[40:18] board. We have some current members that
[40:20] are going to stay and then some new
[40:22] members due to
[40:24] people moving on and
[40:25] people that have
[40:27] yeah, moved on.
[40:31] Okay.
[40:32] Um
[40:33] Mr. Thomas, are you a citizen or do you
[40:35] have work authorization?
[40:37] Yes.
[40:39] Do you live in Massachusetts?
[40:40] I do.
[40:42] Do you have experience in the food and
[40:44] beverage industry?
[40:45] Yes.
[40:47] And are you familiar with the rules and
[40:48] regulations of our board, the ABCC, and
[40:51] the laws of the Commonwealth pertaining
[40:52] to the sale and service of alcohol?
[40:54] Yes.
[40:55] Great. Thank you.
[40:56] Um with that, I have no questions.
[40:58] Commissioner Jackson, do you?
[40:59] No questions for me. Thank you.
[41:01] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[41:03] would like to testify on this matter?
[41:06] The board will take this under
[41:08] advisement as well. Thank you.
[41:10] Thank you.
[41:11] Call number 13, EAHG Boston 2 TRS LLC,
[41:16] uh located at doing business as Hotel
[41:19] AKA Boston Common at 90 Tremont Street.
[41:22] And item 14, EAHG Boston TRS LLC doing
[41:25] business as the Hotel AKA Back Bay at
[41:27] 154 Berkeley Street. Holder of two and
[41:30] holder of all alcoholic beverages
[41:31] licenses has petitioned to pledge both
[41:33] licenses to CB Admin Agent LLC. Attorney
[41:36] Elizabeth Pizano, Attorney Pizano.
[41:39] Good morning, Madam Chair, Attorney
[41:40] Green, members
[41:42] members of the board, Elizabeth Pizano
[41:44] from Upton and Devlin, counsel for
[41:46] the licensees, EAHG
[41:50] Boston TRS and TRS2 LLCs.
[41:53] Um these two applications are for a
[41:55] pledge of their liquor licenses to CB
[41:59] Admin Agent LLC.
[42:02] They are for a $235 million loan.
[42:07] Uh the loan agreement includes financing
[42:09] for five hotel properties including
[42:12] these two Boston locations at 154
[42:15] Berkeley Street and the other one at 90
[42:17] Tremont Street. Um the purpose is just
[42:20] to refinance some existing loans and um
[42:23] for extended um spendings for approved
[42:27] capital expenditures. And that's it.
[42:29] Happy to answer any questions that you
[42:31] have.
[42:33] Uh thank you. I have no questions.
[42:35] Commissioner Saxon, do you?
[42:37] None for me. Thank you.
[42:41] Are there any individuals who would like
[42:42] to testify on these two matters?
[42:45] Thank you. Counselor Flynn would like to
[42:46] go on record and support. Thanks.
[42:49] Thank you, Ashley. Are there any other
[42:50] individuals who would like to testify?
[42:54] Seeing none on the board, we'll take
[42:55] these under advisement as well. Thank
[42:56] you very much.
[42:57] Thank you.
[42:59] Calling out of number 15, Quality Mart
[43:01] Inc. located at 21 Mass Ave, holder of a
[43:03] retail package store all alcoholic
[43:05] beverages license, has petition to amend
[43:07] the following condition on its license.
[43:10] Uh the condition currently states no
[43:11] sale of singles, nips, half pints,
[43:13] pints, or kegs. The proposal is uh to
[43:16] have the condition just read no sale of
[43:17] nips or kegs. Uh Attorney Carolyn
[43:19] Conway, Attorney Conway.
[43:22] Good morning, Attorney Cheyne. Madam
[43:23] Chair, members of the board, Carolyn
[43:25] Conway on behalf of the licensee. And I
[43:27] have with me today Mr. Eamon Raja who is
[43:30] the owner of Quality Mart and also the
[43:32] manager of record. The [snorts] request
[43:35] today to remove the restriction of
[43:37] singles, um half pints, and pints
[43:40] reflects the public need and what we've
[43:42] been asked by many of our customers to
[43:45] do. It reflects that the sale of
[43:48] alcoholic beverages is trending down
[43:50] towards buying smaller amounts at any
[43:53] given time and also reflecting uh the
[43:57] sale of singles which is for more grab
[44:00] and go uh people where it we're trending
[44:03] towards the singles in the beers that
[44:06] are um
[44:08] craft beers and half pints and pints
[44:11] which are our elderly not elderly but
[44:14] our more mature
[44:15] uh customers are asking for. We have met
[44:18] with the Neighborhood Association of the
[44:20] Back Bay and received their um
[44:22] their support and we have although I
[44:25] don't think it can be a condition on the
[44:27] license have has uh
[44:29] said that we would not have singles
[44:32] available for nationally advertised
[44:35] beers meaning that we just want to have
[44:37] those beers that are traditionally sold
[44:40] as single uh singles and also
[44:43] the pints and half pints are just going
[44:46] are going to be the alcohol that our
[44:47] customers have asked us to stock in
[44:50] those uh smaller amounts.
[44:52] Uh as I said we have the approval of the
[44:55] Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay
[44:57] and we also had an abutters meeting and
[44:59] we believe that our request today is
[45:01] reflective of the public need. We're
[45:03] asking for the um board's approval
[45:06] today. We're happy to answer any
[45:07] questions.
[45:10] Thank you Attorney Conway. Uh thank you
[45:12] for that explanation.
[45:14] I have no questions. Commissioner Saxon,
[45:16] do you?
[45:17] I do not. Thank you.
[45:21] Thank you very much. Are there any
[45:22] individuals who would like to testify on
[45:23] this matter beginning with elected
[45:24] officials or their representatives?
[45:26] Yes, Madam Chair, members of the board.
[45:28] Connor Newman with the mayor's office of
[45:30] Neighborhood Services. This time mayor's
[45:31] office will defer to the judgment of
[45:33] this board. Some background information
[45:34] on the community process and abutters
[45:36] meeting was held on August 18th. Uh the
[45:38] applicant did connect with the Neighbors
[45:41] Association of Back Bay which was in
[45:42] non-opposition to this proposal. With
[45:44] that information we'll defer to the
[45:45] board. Thank you.
[45:48] Thank you. I see Vivian from Council
[45:49] Durkan's office with her hand raised.
[45:50] Would you please provide uh your
[45:51] testimony on behalf of the councilor?
[45:54] Morning Madam Chair and members of the
[45:55] board. My name is Vivian here on behalf
[45:57] of Councilor Durkan. After speaking with
[45:59] the the Association of Back Bay, the
[46:02] councilor would like to go on record in
[46:03] non-opposition of this application.
[46:07] Thank you very much. I see the first
[46:09] hand raised from George Lewis Jr. Mr.
[46:11] Lewis, you may please provide your
[46:12] testimony. You'll have 2 minutes to do
[46:14] so.
[46:15] Thank you very much. I've been a
[46:16] resident of the Back Bay and
[46:17] specifically the area within blocks of
[46:19] Aven's store for over 20 years. He's an
[46:22] excellent operator and as he's got runs
[46:24] an excellent operation. He's supportive
[46:26] of the neighborhood and this will just
[46:28] help him support the neighborhood more
[46:30] and I'm fully in favor of his change in
[46:33] licensing. Thank you.
[46:35] Thank you very much. The next hand
[46:36] raised I see is from Carolyn Reeves. Mr.
[46:39] Reeves, you may also please provide your
[46:40] testimony.
[46:41] Thank you very much.
[46:43] I live literally about five doors down
[46:46] from Quality Mart and I have to say I
[46:48] wish all my neighbors were as
[46:50] responsible, community-minded, and good
[46:53] to our neighborhood as Quality Mart and
[46:56] Mr. Raja is. He is both provides for the
[46:59] community, but something particularly to
[47:01] my group, the Muddy River Initiative,
[47:03] that works to clean up trash around the
[47:05] Muddy River,
[47:07] Mr. Raja keeps his area spotless. And
[47:10] this is really important for our
[47:12] neighborhood as we're getting inundated
[47:14] with trash,
[47:16] a recurring problem now in Boston and
[47:19] and something that leads to rats, etc.
[47:21] Mr. Mr. Raja is not only not part of the
[47:25] problem, he is actually part of the
[47:27] solution by working very hard with us,
[47:30] the neighborhood, our direct block,
[47:32] to to keep it clean and I have to say
[47:35] commercial institutions like his are
[47:37] really welcome. So, anything that helps
[47:39] Mr. Raja stay in business is A-OK with
[47:42] our community and we support his change
[47:44] in licensing. Thank you very much for
[47:47] the opportunity to speak.
[47:48] Thank you for the testimony. Are there
[47:50] any other individuals who would like to
[47:51] testify on this matter?
[47:55] The board will take this under
[47:56] advisement as well. Thank you.
[47:58] Thank you very much.
[47:59] Calling out a number 60 in Commonwealth
[48:01] Cellars Inc. doing business as
[48:03] Commonwealth Cellars located at 1229
[48:05] Commonwealth Ave. in Allston, holder of
[48:07] a retail package store alcoholic
[48:08] beverages license has petitioned to
[48:11] remove the condition stating no sales of
[48:14] nips or singles. Attorney Carolyn
[48:16] Conway, Attorney Conway.
[48:18] Again, good morning to all. I have with
[48:20] me today Mr. Wanda Wandamu Abeje who is
[48:23] the owner of Commonwealth Cellars and
[48:27] the board may not know he's also the
[48:29] owner of the adjoining 7-Eleven and has
[48:33] been for over 7 years. After he has
[48:35] taken over Commonwealth Cellars, we've
[48:37] been very successful. He's always been
[48:40] attuned to the neighborhood and he is
[48:41] now asking the board to remove the
[48:44] condition for no nips as a result of
[48:47] customer requests. The customers that
[48:50] are requesting this tend to be those
[48:52] persons who do not want to buy alcohol
[48:55] in great numbers. We also have several
[48:59] businesses in the area who have asked us
[49:01] one particularly. We've had people who
[49:03] make gift baskets, other things that
[49:05] have asked for the sale of nips. We're
[49:08] also looking in or by granting this, the
[49:12] board would be kind of evening the
[49:14] playing field. There are several
[49:17] licenses in the area that allow the sale
[49:21] of nips. One is the former
[49:23] Blanchard Liquors at 103 Harvard Avenue
[49:26] which will be be revitalized. The Wine
[49:29] Basket and Spirit Shop at 1441
[49:32] Commonwealth Avenue and Babushka Deli at
[49:35] 62 Washington Street also serve nips in
[49:39] the neighborhood. We have customers who
[49:41] are saying that they don't want to walk
[49:44] farther that they would rather go to Mr.
[49:47] Abeje's premises and purchase smaller
[49:51] amounts of alcohol and as a result we
[49:53] are asking for the removal of the
[49:55] condition. We understand that many in
[49:57] the neighborhood are would are wary of
[50:01] having smaller amounts of alcohol with
[50:03] respect to trash and undesirable people
[50:06] hanging around with Mr. Abeja's
[50:09] diligence, we believe that we can
[50:12] control any problems with trash and we
[50:15] can make sure that alcohol is being sold
[50:18] only to people who are
[50:21] who deserve to have it and are going to
[50:23] carry it away. Thank you. We're
[50:25] available to answer any questions.
[50:30] Um, I might have some questions after
[50:33] the public testimony, so I will see if
[50:36] Commissioner Saxon has any right now.
[50:38] Nothing for now, thank you.
[50:40] Thank you. With that, are there any
[50:41] individuals who would like to testify on
[50:43] this matter beginning with elected
[50:44] officials or their representatives?
[50:46] Yes, Madam Chair, members of the board,
[50:48] Conor Newman with the Mayor's Office of
[50:50] Neighborhood Services. At this time, the
[50:52] Mayor's Office would go on record in
[50:53] opposition to this proposal.
[50:55] Um, this is not a new proposal. I
[50:59] actually ran the community process for
[51:00] this back in 2019 when I was the
[51:02] Allston-Brighton liaison.
[51:04] Then and and now, we continue to have
[51:07] issues with public consumption of
[51:09] alcohol in the Allston Village area. Um,
[51:13] this 100% will exasperate existing
[51:16] issues.
[51:17] You know, the attorney made reference to
[51:20] Babushka's Deli, which is in not in
[51:21] Allston, that's in Brighton. Um,
[51:23] Blanchard's, which as we know is is very
[51:26] much in flux and it might not remain a
[51:28] liquor store for long, so um, there are
[51:31] issues with people under the age of 21,
[51:34] um, people who are unhoused in this
[51:36] area, and these are prime demographics
[51:39] that that seek the sale of of Nips in
[51:42] cities. So, we remain in opposition.
[51:45] We'd like to be formally formally in
[51:47] opposition to this proposal. The Austin
[51:49] Civic Association was opposed to this
[51:51] proposal when they met with them.
[51:53] Uh, yes, so any body at the meeting more
[51:55] recently did have one business owner or
[51:58] excuse me business owner
[52:00] nearby who was in support of this
[52:01] proposal, but we think this would be a
[52:03] detriment to the community and we're in
[52:05] opposition as we are whenever community
[52:07] members express concerns regarding sale
[52:10] of nips and singles in their
[52:11] communities. Thank you.
[52:14] Thank you. Are there any other
[52:15] individuals who would like to testify on
[52:16] this matter?
[52:21] Any further questions from the board
[52:23] following that testimony from ONS?
[52:26] Um, not at this time.
[52:29] No questions from okay.
[52:31] I would like to reiterate on behalf of
[52:33] the licensee that we do maintain that we
[52:35] will be vigilant
[52:37] in our oversight of the sale and making
[52:40] sure that the outside of the premises is
[52:44] maintained
[52:46] in a pristine condition.
[52:48] Thank you for that. If there were no
[52:49] questions and no other individuals
[52:51] wishing to testify then the board will
[52:52] take this under advisement.
[52:54] Thank you.
[52:58] Following up on number 17, Boston Harbor
[52:59] Cruises LLC doing business as The
[53:01] Landing located at 6 Long Wharf, holder
[53:03] of a common victualer 7-day all
[53:05] alcoholic beverages license has petition
[53:06] for a change of officers, directors, LLC
[53:08] managers and for a change in ownership
[53:10] interest. Attorney Tom Miller, Attorney
[53:12] Miller.
[53:14] Thank you, Secretary Green. Good morning
[53:15] again, Madam Chair, members of the
[53:16] board, Commissioner
[53:18] uh yeah, Commissioner Saxon. Sorry.
[53:20] Brain lock up for a second. Um,
[53:23] the application today before you for
[53:26] Boston Harbor Cruises LLC is for a
[53:29] change of beneficial interest
[53:31] including the change of their officers
[53:33] and directors as well as a change of the
[53:34] ownership structure. This relates
[53:37] directly to corporate restructuring
[53:39] related to a bankruptcy filing.
[53:41] Um, all of these changes here are back
[53:43] of the house and upstream from the
[53:44] licensee.
[53:46] Uh, there are no operational changes uh,
[53:48] day-to-day. The board will see no change
[53:50] in their operations day-to-day.
[53:52] Uh, the landing will continue to be a
[53:53] well-run amenity for both residents and
[53:55] visitors to Boston alike.
[53:57] Um, I I want to thank you for hearing
[53:59] this today. I'm happy to answer any
[54:00] questions you may have.
[54:03] Uh, thank you, attorney. I have no
[54:05] questions at this time. Commissioner
[54:06] Sexton?
[54:07] None for me. Thank you.
[54:09] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[54:10] would like to testify on this matter?
[54:15] The board will take this under
[54:16] advisement. Thank you.
[54:17] Thank you.
[54:18] Call item 18 107 Salem Restaurant Inc.
[54:20] doing business as Bacco located at 107
[54:22] Salem Street, holder of a common
[54:24] victualer 7-day alcoholic beverages
[54:26] license has petitioned for a change of
[54:27] officers and directors and has also
[54:29] petitioned for a change in stock
[54:30] interest. Who is present on behalf of
[54:32] the applicant?
[54:34] Good morning.
[54:38] Good morning. Thank you for being with
[54:38] us. If you could just uh, please briefly
[54:40] outline the proposed changes to the
[54:41] board.
[54:42] Yes, so this would be a petition for
[54:44] change of officers and a change of stock
[54:46] interest reflecting the the new members
[54:47] and the old ones who are no longer part
[54:49] of the company. They'll be appointing
[54:50] myself as president, director, and
[54:52] treasurer and appointing Matilde Calle
[54:55] as secretary.
[54:56] Former president being Apollo and former
[54:58] director Mr. Kingsbury and Andrew Ronald
[55:01] and also uh, former director Mayte
[55:04] Dolores Garcia.
[55:07] Uh, thank you very much and thank you
[55:08] for joining us. Any operational
[55:12] Uh, that would be mostly it. Uh, it's
[55:14] just an update to to reflect the
[55:17] the members who are no longer part of
[55:19] the company and have everything updated
[55:21] as as we have it stated previously on
[55:23] the secretary of state.
[55:26] Great. Thank you. Commissioner Sexton,
[55:27] do you have any questions?
[55:29] I do not. Thank you.
[55:30] No questions.
[55:31] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[55:32] would like to testify on this matter?
[55:36] The board will take this under
[55:37] advisement well. Thank you very much.
[55:39] Thank you.
[55:41] Calling out of number 19 370 Western Ave
[55:43] Wild Duck Inc. doing business as The
[55:44] Wild Duck located at 370 Western Ave in
[55:46] Brighton. Holder of a retail package
[55:48] store all alcoholic beverages license
[55:50] has petitioned for a change of officers
[55:51] directors and has petitioned for a
[55:53] change in stock interest. Attorney
[55:55] Jackson Christian, Attorney Christian.
[55:57] Thank you, Tom.
[55:58] Uh good morning, Jackson Christian,
[55:59] attorney for Megaloudis & Gacis here on
[56:00] behalf of the applicant, which is 370
[56:02] Western Ave Wild Duck Inc. Uh which
[56:04] operates a package store business at 370
[56:06] Western Ave in Brighton. So, the
[56:09] corporation is just applying for um
[56:11] approval of a stock transfer as outlined
[56:13] in the application and then also a
[56:15] change of its officers and directors.
[56:17] So, Jamini Patel is going to be
[56:19] resigning as president and as director
[56:21] of the corporation. Uh she's going to be
[56:22] replaced by Jaideep Patel, who is
[56:25] already a director of the corporation
[56:26] and treasurer of the corporation. So,
[56:28] he's just going to be filling her role
[56:29] as president. Other than that, there's
[56:31] no changes to the license. There's no
[56:33] operational changes. Um and this is
[56:35] just, you know, reflecting the change of
[56:37] the officers. So, if you have any
[56:39] questions, we're happy to answer that at
[56:40] this time.
[56:41] Uh thank you. No, I have
[56:43] um no questions. Commissioner Saxon, do
[56:46] you?
[56:46] None for me. Thank you.
[56:48] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[56:49] would like to testify on this matter?
[56:53] The board will take this under
[56:54] advisement as well. Thank you.
[56:56] Thank you.
[56:58] Calling out of number 20 CMG 10 PO
[57:00] Square LLC doing business as Mariel
[57:03] located at 10 Post Office Square. Holder
[57:05] of a restricted common victualer 7-day
[57:07] alcoholic beverages license has
[57:08] petitioned to amend the description of
[57:10] the licensed business from currently
[57:11] 11,322
[57:13] total square feet on three levels,
[57:15] ground, mezzanine, and basement
[57:16] including 5,177 square feet located on
[57:19] the first floor of the South Tower of
[57:20] the South Tower containing lounge, bar,
[57:22] stage, main dining room, kitchen, and
[57:23] restrooms. 3,621 square feet located on
[57:26] the lower level of the building
[57:27] containing bar, lounge, stage, restroom,
[57:29] and kitchen. And 638 square feet located
[57:31] on mezzanine level of the building.
[57:33] 1,086 square feet of storage space
[57:35] located on the lower level of the
[57:36] building. To the proposed new
[57:39] description, there will be four
[57:40] individually named but contiguous
[57:41] concepts over a combined area of 33,493
[57:45] square feet, of which 16,091 square feet
[57:48] is on the basement level, 10,947 on the
[57:51] ground floor, 5,225
[57:53] on the mezzanine level, and 1,230 on the
[57:56] second floor. Concept one is located in
[57:58] the basement level of the North Tower
[58:00] representing 7,641 square feet inclusive
[58:02] of storage, food and beverage
[58:03] preparation, and staff facilities. Has
[58:05] one entrance and three exits with a
[58:07] total occupancy of 283 persons and a
[58:10] seating capacity of 120.
[58:12] Concept two is located on the ground
[58:13] floor of the North Tower representing
[58:14] 5,977 square feet inclusive of storage,
[58:18] food and beverage preparation, and staff
[58:19] facilities. Has two entrances and four
[58:21] exits with a total occupancy of 258
[58:23] persons and seating capacity of 171.
[58:27] Concept three is located on the ground
[58:28] floor, mezzanine, and second floor of
[58:30] the South Tower representing 11,425
[58:33] square feet inclusive of storage, food
[58:34] and beverage preparation, and staff
[58:35] facilities. Has two entrances and three
[58:38] exits with a total occupancy of 339
[58:40] persons and a seating capacity of 289.
[58:43] And concept four is located in the
[58:45] basement level of the South Tower
[58:46] representing 8,450 square feet inclusive
[58:49] of storage, food and beverage
[58:50] preparation, and staff facilities. It
[58:52] has one entrance and three exits with a
[58:54] total occupancy of 256 persons and a
[58:57] seating capacity of 218. Attorney Mike
[58:59] Ross, Attorney Ross.
[59:02] Thank you. Good morning, Secretary
[59:03] Green. And good morning, Madam Chair,
[59:05] members of the board. Mike Ross, an
[59:06] attorney at the law firm of Prince
[59:07] Lobel. I'm here with the managers of CMG
[59:10] 10 PO Square LLC, Chris Jameson and Mark
[59:14] Malatesta. Mark is the manager of record
[59:16] as well. Um as mentioned, we're here for
[59:19] an alteration of premises
[59:21] from an existing restricted CV7-day all
[59:24] alcohol beverage license at 10 Post
[59:27] Office Square. It's been there since
[59:28] 2019
[59:31] and has been home to two
[59:32] uh contiguous concepts.
[59:34] Um the plan now as Secretary mentioned
[59:37] is to keep those two existing concepts
[59:40] as is
[59:42] uh and to add two new contiguous
[59:44] concepts
[59:45] as well as increased storage lockers and
[59:47] administrative spaces uh throughout the
[59:50] facility.
[59:51] And as the Secretary walked through the
[59:53] the two new uh
[59:55] concepts,
[59:56] uh one will be located on the ground and
[59:58] mezzanine floor. It's 11,425
[1:00:01] square feet,
[1:00:02] occupancy of 329 39 and seating for 289.
[1:00:06] And the second new concept will be
[1:00:08] located on the basement floor uh in the
[1:00:10] basement.
[1:00:12] 8,450 square feet with an occupancy of
[1:00:15] 256 persons and seating for 218. And the
[1:00:19] existing two concepts will remain as is.
[1:00:21] We provided floor plans and other
[1:00:23] related materials in the application, so
[1:00:25] I'll pause there and see if there are
[1:00:26] any questions. Thank you.
[1:00:30] I know happy to see this application
[1:00:31] finally before the board. I know you've
[1:00:34] been working a long time on it.
[1:00:36] Um
[1:00:38] I don't think I've any questions at this
[1:00:40] time. Commissioner Saxon, do you?
[1:00:42] I do not. Thank you.
[1:00:45] Thank you. We'll see if there are any
[1:00:46] individuals who would like to testify on
[1:00:48] this matter beginning with elected
[1:00:49] officials or their representatives.
[1:00:51] Yes, Madam Chair, members of the board,
[1:00:53] Connor Newman with the mayor's office
[1:00:54] neighborhood services. At this time the
[1:00:56] mayor's office will defer to the
[1:00:57] judgment of this board. Uh we did not
[1:00:59] require a community process for this as
[1:01:01] it's within the confines of the building
[1:01:03] and does not present uh serious
[1:01:05] operational changes. Uh we did encourage
[1:01:07] the applicants to introduce themselves
[1:01:08] uh to the civic if they hadn't done so
[1:01:10] already, but to reiterate, we did not
[1:01:11] require a community process. Thank you.
[1:01:15] Thank you. Are there any other
[1:01:16] individuals who would like to testify on
[1:01:17] this matter?
[1:01:21] Seeing none, the board will take this
[1:01:23] under advisement as well. Thank you very
[1:01:24] much.
[1:01:25] Thank you very much.
[1:01:27] Calling out number 21, Dawa MD Inc.
[1:01:30] doing business as Myung Dong First
[1:01:31] Avenue located at 92 Harvard Ave,
[1:01:33] Allston, holder of a common victualer
[1:01:35] 7-day wines and malt beverages with a
[1:01:37] course license has petitioned to change
[1:01:39] the classification of its license to a
[1:01:40] restricted all alcoholic beverages
[1:01:42] license pursuant to the authority
[1:01:44] contained within Mass. General Laws
[1:01:45] Chapter 138 Section 12D. Who is present
[1:01:48] on behalf of the applicant?
[1:01:56] Is anybody here on behalf of Myung Dong
[1:01:58] First Avenue?
[1:02:01] Uh hello, do you hear me?
[1:02:02] Yes, we can hear you.
[1:02:03] Hi um hello, my name is David Yang. Uh
[1:02:05] thank you have thank you for having me
[1:02:07] here tonight today.
[1:02:09] Um I manage a small Korean restaurant
[1:02:11] located in 92 Harvard Ave, Allston, and
[1:02:14] it's named Myung Dong First Ave.
[1:02:16] Uh we have been honored to serve the
[1:02:18] community for the last 17 years.
[1:02:21] And my hope is to be a part of the city
[1:02:23] with the many more years to come.
[1:02:26] Which is also why I'm here today to
[1:02:28] request a change to our beer and wine
[1:02:30] and liquor to a restricted all alcohol
[1:02:32] license.
[1:02:34] Um at this time, we are
[1:02:37] uh unable to have many of the soju
[1:02:39] brands that customers ask due to our
[1:02:41] limitation
[1:02:42] in uh
[1:02:44] our current license.
[1:02:46] Uh with the help of the city and all
[1:02:48] alcohol license, we will be able to
[1:02:49] remain competitive
[1:02:51] uh especially during the time where
[1:02:53] numerous giant businesses are being
[1:02:54] introduced to the neighbor at the
[1:02:56] moment.
[1:02:58] Um I would also like to point out that
[1:03:00] we are an established restaurant.
[1:03:02] Um we are not trying to become a bar or
[1:03:04] nightclub.
[1:03:06] The neighborhood footprint of Myung Dong
[1:03:07] First Ave will remain the same as it has
[1:03:10] been for the last 17 years.
[1:03:12] We will be safe, predictable, and um um,
[1:03:15] respectful of our neighbors. Thank you.
[1:03:21] Thank you, and thank you for um,
[1:03:23] describing why you are requesting this
[1:03:25] upgrade. I have no questions.
[1:03:28] Commissioner Saxon, do you?
[1:03:30] None for me, thank you.
[1:03:32] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[1:03:33] would like to testify in this matter,
[1:03:34] beginning with elected officials or
[1:03:35] their representatives?
[1:03:36] Yes, Madam Chair, members of the board.
[1:03:38] Connor Newman with the mayor's office
[1:03:40] and neighborhood services. This time the
[1:03:41] mayor's office would defer to the
[1:03:42] judgment of this board. Some background
[1:03:44] information on the community process.
[1:03:46] Uh, our office is presently aware of any
[1:03:48] concerns. Uh, this is a very popular
[1:03:50] restaurant in the Allston Village
[1:03:51] neighborhood.
[1:03:52] Um, they did go to the Allston Civic
[1:03:53] Association, uh, receiving their support
[1:03:55] for this proposal. As mentioned, unaware
[1:03:58] of any concerns at this time, and with
[1:03:59] that we'll defer to the board. Thank
[1:04:01] you.
[1:04:02] Thank you. Are there any other
[1:04:03] individuals who would like to testify in
[1:04:04] this matter?
[1:04:07] The board will take this under
[1:04:08] advisement. Thank you.
[1:04:11] Calling item number 22, The Circle Bar
[1:04:12] and Grill, doing business as The Circle,
[1:04:14] located at 356 Chestnut Hill Ave,
[1:04:16] Brighton. Holder of a common victualer
[1:04:18] 7-day wines and malt beverages with a
[1:04:19] cordial license, has petitioned to
[1:04:20] change the classification of its license
[1:04:23] to a restricted all alcoholic beverages
[1:04:24] license, pursuant to the authority
[1:04:26] contained in chapter 138, section 12D.
[1:04:28] Who's present on behalf of the
[1:04:29] applicant?
[1:04:31] Uh, yes. Good morning again, Madam
[1:04:32] Chair, members of the board. Kevin
[1:04:34] Butler from McDermott Quilty Miller and
[1:04:36] Hanley on behalf of The Circle. Um, I'm
[1:04:38] joined by George Kariotis, the owner and
[1:04:40] manager of record.
[1:04:42] Um, as Secretary Green just stated, we
[1:04:44] are here for a change of license
[1:04:45] category from wine and malt beverages
[1:04:47] with cordials to all alcoholic
[1:04:49] beverages.
[1:04:50] Um, The Circle has been operating at 356
[1:04:53] Chestnut Hill Ave for more than 7 years,
[1:04:55] um, since Feb-
[1:04:57] Um, George and his team have been
[1:04:59] working to improve the restaurant as an
[1:05:01] amenity to the community,
[1:05:02] uh, including by expanding the menu to
[1:05:04] offer fresh, quality Greek food, um,
[1:05:07] with many items made from scratch
[1:05:08] in-house, uh, including their new Greek
[1:05:10] coffee offering.
[1:05:11] Um, and this change of category is
[1:05:13] intended to be a part of that overall
[1:05:15] improvement and expanded offerings um,
[1:05:17] to reflect customer demand and to help
[1:05:20] the team's effort in making the Circle A
[1:05:21] community space for the neighborhood.
[1:05:24] Um, there are no other changes impacting
[1:05:26] the operation of the license associated
[1:05:27] with this application um, including no
[1:05:30] changes to the hours of operation or to
[1:05:32] the premises um,
[1:05:34] we attended in a butter's meeting hosted
[1:05:35] by the mayor's office and neighborhood
[1:05:37] services where no opposition was raised.
[1:05:39] Um, and we also received support from
[1:05:41] the Brighton Allston Improvement
[1:05:42] Association. Um, so with that thank you
[1:05:45] for hearing this and uh, we are happy to
[1:05:47] answer any questions.
[1:05:49] Thank you attorney Butler. Thank you Mr.
[1:05:51] Kariotis for joining us. Good to see
[1:05:52] this application before us. I have no
[1:05:54] questions. Commissioner Saxon, do you?
[1:05:56] No, none for me. Thank you.
[1:05:59] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[1:06:00] would like to testify on this matter
[1:06:01] beginning with elected officials or
[1:06:02] their representatives?
[1:06:04] Yes, Madam Chair, members of the board,
[1:06:05] Connor Newman with the mayor's office of
[1:06:07] neighborhood services. At this time we'd
[1:06:09] like to defer to the judgment of this
[1:06:10] board. As you heard from the applicant's
[1:06:12] representation, a butter's meeting was
[1:06:13] hosted where it was lightly attended.
[1:06:15] Uh, no serious concerns were raised
[1:06:17] related to this proposal.
[1:06:19] Um, the applicant then went on to meet
[1:06:20] with the Brighton Allston Improvement
[1:06:21] Association which was supportive. Uh,
[1:06:23] with that we'll defer to the board.
[1:06:25] Thank you.
[1:06:26] Thank you very much. Are there any other
[1:06:27] individuals who would like to testify on
[1:06:28] this matter?
[1:06:32] The board will take this under
[1:06:33] advisement as well. Thank you.
[1:06:35] Thank you.
[1:06:37] Calling out number 23, PT Opco LLC doing
[1:06:39] business as Pink Taco located at 374
[1:06:42] Congress Street holder of a common
[1:06:44] victualer 7-day all alcoholic beverages
[1:06:45] license has petitioned to transfer the
[1:06:47] license from the above to 374 Transfer E
[1:06:50] LLC at the same location. Daniel Doherty
[1:06:53] the third, manager. 1 a.m. closing hour.
[1:06:55] Tom Miller, attorney Tom Miller,
[1:06:57] attorney Miller.
[1:06:59] Thank you Secretary Green.
[1:07:01] Uh, Tom Miller from Curley Coffee Miller
[1:07:02] and Hanley here uh, on behalf of the
[1:07:04] applicant 374 Transfer E LLC.
[1:07:07] Um
[1:07:08] I am as stated, I'm joined by Daniel
[1:07:10] Doherty, uh the proposed manager of
[1:07:12] record here.
[1:07:13] Uh as Secretary Green stated, this is a
[1:07:16] corporation to corporation transfer at
[1:07:17] the same location. Uh we're not
[1:07:19] proposing any change to the license
[1:07:21] premise as it is uh or closing hour.
[1:07:24] Um this is
[1:07:26] just a transfer from uh the current
[1:07:28] licensee uh better known as Pink Taco to
[1:07:32] the landlord. Um
[1:07:34] they're acquiring this license as part
[1:07:36] of a settlement agreement with the
[1:07:38] current licensee uh related to issues
[1:07:40] with their tenancy.
[1:07:42] Uh the applicant here has no intention
[1:07:44] and will not operate this license. Uh
[1:07:47] they are in active negotiations with a
[1:07:49] prospective tenant now uh and are
[1:07:51] looking to uh finalize that in the near
[1:07:54] future.
[1:07:55] Um so that this space can be revitalized
[1:07:58] uh and used uh in an appropriate manner
[1:08:01] to benefit the community. Um their part
[1:08:03] in taking this license uh from Pink Taco
[1:08:06] is to provide, you know, hopefully
[1:08:08] provide that to a future tenant uh
[1:08:10] allowing them to more to more
[1:08:12] appropriately and better utilize this
[1:08:13] space.
[1:08:15] Uh once that process is complete, the
[1:08:17] prospective tenant will begin the
[1:08:19] process
[1:08:20] uh as laid out by the city both uh the
[1:08:23] board uh and ONS for licensing
[1:08:25] requirements as well as
[1:08:27] um the appropriate government regulatory
[1:08:30] agencies like ISD and landmarks to get
[1:08:33] the necessary appropriate permits to
[1:08:35] begin operation. We are aware of the
[1:08:38] concerns raised by the community related
[1:08:40] to the outdoor patio and its the
[1:08:42] previous process that was or was not
[1:08:43] followed uh for its use. Um
[1:08:47] the the landlord here, the applicant
[1:08:49] here understands that and they've are
[1:08:52] aware of that, have made uh the
[1:08:54] prospective future tenant and others
[1:08:56] uh aware of what needs to be done to
[1:08:58] make sure the process is followed going
[1:09:00] forward.
[1:09:01] Um and understanding that, we have not
[1:09:03] applied to remove the condition that was
[1:09:05] placed by the board on the license
[1:09:07] prohibiting patio operations. Um,
[1:09:10] we understand the concerns and want to
[1:09:11] make sure they're addressed before any
[1:09:13] any operations of the patio move
[1:09:15] forward. As I said, I'm joined by Mr.
[1:09:17] Doughty today, the proposed manager of
[1:09:19] record. He is a US citizen. He is a
[1:09:21] resident of Marblehead. While he does
[1:09:23] not have experience in the industry, the
[1:09:25] applicant here is not planning to
[1:09:27] operate the license and as they are
[1:09:29] actively working to find an appropriate
[1:09:30] tenant to do that for them in this
[1:09:32] space.
[1:09:33] Even though they will not be operating,
[1:09:35] uh, Mr. Doughty has received and
[1:09:37] reviewed the and is familiar with the
[1:09:39] board's rules and regulations for the
[1:09:40] sale and service of alcohol, as well as
[1:09:42] the laws of the Commonwealth and rules
[1:09:44] of the ABCC for the same.
[1:09:46] The applicant here, uh, will work with
[1:09:48] the future tenants to and and the
[1:09:50] community. They want to be part of the
[1:09:52] process going forward
[1:09:54] to address the concerns related to
[1:09:56] permitting process and make sure that
[1:09:58] the applicant, any future applicant,
[1:10:01] goes through the correct and appropriate
[1:10:03] process.
[1:10:04] Um, the approval of the application
[1:10:06] today will allow this license to stay in
[1:10:09] the Fort Point neighborhood and remain
[1:10:10] an amenity for those who live, work, and
[1:10:12] visit the area.
[1:10:14] With that, we want to thank you for
[1:10:15] hearing this application today and we'll
[1:10:17] be happy to answer any questions you may
[1:10:18] have.
[1:10:20] Thank you, Attorney Miller. Thank you,
[1:10:22] Mr. Doughty, for joining us as, um, your
[1:10:24] attorney said, this is
[1:10:25] being transferred to you, the landlord,
[1:10:28] um, as you're working through the
[1:10:29] process to get a new licensee in there.
[1:10:32] Um, so with that, I don't have any
[1:10:34] questions. I expect to see this, um,
[1:10:37] application in some form back before us
[1:10:39] before we before anything else moves
[1:10:41] forward. Um,
[1:10:44] Commissioner Sexton, do you have any
[1:10:46] questions?
[1:10:47] Just a quick one, though. Just how long
[1:10:48] do you does the landlord expect the
[1:10:51] future tenant to materialize or for you
[1:10:53] to find a tenant?
[1:10:54] We are in active negotiations with a
[1:10:57] specific tenant at this point, at least
[1:10:59] as far as I'm aware has not been signed,
[1:11:01] but we are
[1:11:02] hopeful that that will happen.
[1:11:04] Um
[1:11:07] in the not too distant future, so that
[1:11:09] as soon as possible they can be back
[1:11:11] before you
[1:11:12] to transfer the license to them.
[1:11:15] Assuming that the board approves this
[1:11:17] application today as does the ABCC.
[1:11:21] Are there any further questions from the
[1:11:22] board?
[1:11:25] Are there any individuals who would like
[1:11:26] to testify on this matter beginning with
[1:11:27] elected officials or their
[1:11:28] representatives?
[1:11:32] Yes, Ashley.
[1:11:33] Thank you. My name is Ashley from
[1:11:35] Councilor Flynn's office. Councilor
[1:11:37] Flynn would like to go on record in
[1:11:38] support of the transfer. He understands
[1:11:40] concerns from neighbors in the Fort
[1:11:41] Point Neighborhood Association regarding
[1:11:43] the patio.
[1:11:45] The proponent has related that the patio
[1:11:47] will not be utilized and that the
[1:11:49] operator would have to go through
[1:11:50] additional process with city boards and
[1:11:53] commissions at a later time. Thank you.
[1:11:56] Thank you, Ashley. Are there any other
[1:11:57] individuals who would like to testify on
[1:11:58] this matter?
[1:12:01] Uh yes, Sarah McKinnon, I see your hand
[1:12:02] raised. You may please provide your
[1:12:03] testimony.
[1:12:06] I think
[1:12:07] um just wanted um on behalf of the Fort
[1:12:09] Point Neighborhood Association to
[1:12:12] um support the transfer with the
[1:12:13] condition of no approval of the patio.
[1:12:16] Um we look forward to working with the
[1:12:17] future operator
[1:12:19] um and getting the patio, which is
[1:12:21] located in a flood zone, um compliant
[1:12:23] with the com- com's order of and um also
[1:12:27] with licensing um at um a future time.
[1:12:32] Thank you very much. Are there any other
[1:12:33] individuals who would like to testify on
[1:12:34] this matter?
[1:12:38] Board will take this under advisement as
[1:12:39] well. Thank you very much.
[1:12:41] Thank you.
[1:12:41] Holder number 24 88 Management Corp
[1:12:44] doing business as Station Bistro located
[1:12:46] at 20 Hudson Street. Holder of a common
[1:12:48] victualer 7-day wines and malt beverages
[1:12:49] license has petition to to transfer the
[1:12:51] license from the above to double eight
[1:12:52] management Inc. Doing business as
[1:12:54] Station Bistro at the same location.
[1:12:56] William Wong, manager. 2:00 a.m. closing
[1:12:59] hour. Attorney Tyler Hensler. Attorney
[1:13:00] Hensler.
[1:13:02] Good morning. Thank you, Attorney Green.
[1:13:04] Tyler Hensler here for double eight
[1:13:06] management Inc.
[1:13:07] Uh joining me is William Wong, the
[1:13:09] manager of record, uh and his father,
[1:13:12] Jason Wong, the majority owner of double
[1:13:14] eight management Inc.
[1:13:16] The applicant is purchasing the Station
[1:13:18] Bistro restaurant and karaoke bar
[1:13:20] located at 20 Hudson Street. Uh it
[1:13:23] currently operates as a karaoke bar uh
[1:13:26] with a large shared room for karaoke uh
[1:13:29] with a stage and tables, uh and also
[1:13:32] private rooms for karaoke. They will be
[1:13:34] changing nothing about the current
[1:13:35] operations with this transfer, so it
[1:13:37] will be low impact to the neighborhood
[1:13:39] and surrounding community.
[1:13:41] Public need for a license at this
[1:13:42] location was found to have existed uh
[1:13:45] when the board initially approved this
[1:13:47] license and certainly has continued to
[1:13:49] exist until the present day. This is a
[1:13:51] popular spot for the student population
[1:13:53] in the surrounding community, as well as
[1:13:55] birthdays and private parties, and
[1:13:57] corporate gatherings.
[1:14:00] The character and fitness of the
[1:14:01] applicants also very strong. Jason Wong
[1:14:04] uh manages the Dynasty restaurant, which
[1:14:06] is a long-standing restaurant also
[1:14:08] located on Hudson Street, uh which has
[1:14:10] no violations history with the city or
[1:14:13] the ABCC.
[1:14:14] Uh the manager of record will be William
[1:14:16] Wong. He is a US citizen. He is a
[1:14:19] Massachusetts resident. He's familiar
[1:14:21] with the rules and regulations of the
[1:14:22] sale and service of alcohol of this
[1:14:24] board, the ABCC, and the laws of the
[1:14:25] Commonwealth. Uh and he has experience
[1:14:28] in the industry. Despite working uh
[1:14:30] full-time after graduating college as a
[1:14:32] software engineer and developer, he also
[1:14:34] has been a manager at Dynasty for 3
[1:14:37] years learning every aspect of the
[1:14:39] business, and he is ready to take on a
[1:14:41] new challenge uh by being the manager of
[1:14:43] record at Station Bistro.
[1:14:45] Uh with that, we are happy to answer any
[1:14:47] questions. Thank you.
[1:14:53] Thank you, attorney, and thank you, Mr.
[1:14:55] Wong, for joining us.
[1:14:57] Um
[1:14:58] I don't have any questions at this time.
[1:15:00] Commissioner Saxon?
[1:15:01] I do not, either. Thank you.
[1:15:04] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[1:15:05] would like to testify on this matter,
[1:15:06] beginning with elected officials or
[1:15:07] their representatives?
[1:15:10] Actually, you may please go ahead.
[1:15:12] Thank you, counselor. Flame would like
[1:15:13] to go on record in support. Thank you.
[1:15:16] Thank you. Are there any other
[1:15:17] individuals who would like to testify on
[1:15:18] this matter?
[1:15:21] The board will take this under
[1:15:22] advisement, as well. Thank you.
[1:15:24] Thank you.
[1:15:25] Call on item 25, Petit Robert, Inc.,
[1:15:27] doing business as Petit Robert Bistro,
[1:15:29] located at 480 Columbus Ave in Roxbury,
[1:15:32] holder of a common victualer 7-day wines
[1:15:34] and malt beverages with liquors license,
[1:15:36] has petitioned to transfer the license
[1:15:38] from the above to Petit Robert LLC,
[1:15:40] doing business as Petit Robert Bistro at
[1:15:42] the same location. Loic LeGuerrec,
[1:15:44] manager, 12:00 a.m. closing hour. Who is
[1:15:47] present on behalf of the applicant?
[1:15:49] Good morning. Dawson Cooper from Upton
[1:15:51] Canale & Devlin. I'm joined by the
[1:15:53] owners, uh Loic and Arnaud Abdoum. Um
[1:15:57] the applicant has applied to transfer
[1:15:58] the license currently held by Petit
[1:16:00] Robert, Inc. to Petit Robert LLC. Um the
[1:16:03] license will be remaining at the same
[1:16:04] location.
[1:16:06] While the application is a transfer, um
[1:16:08] this transaction is actually a very
[1:16:10] simple one, and essentially a
[1:16:11] corp-to-corp transfer with no
[1:16:13] operational changes at the license
[1:16:14] location. Um the current licensee, Petit
[1:16:17] Robert, is owned by Loic and Arnaud. Um
[1:16:20] in a corporate restructuring
[1:16:22] transaction, the license is being
[1:16:23] transferred to Petit Robert LLC, um
[1:16:26] whose parent company and sole LLC
[1:16:28] manager is French Express LLC.
[1:16:31] Um ultimately, ownership is remaining in
[1:16:32] the same two individuals that it has
[1:16:34] always been.
[1:16:35] Um the difference is there's now an
[1:16:36] additional layer of LLC protection
[1:16:38] between the licensed entity and the
[1:16:39] ultimate owners.
[1:16:41] Um and the structure is aligned with the
[1:16:43] owners' two Cambridge restaurants. Um,
[1:16:45] with that, we're happy to answer any
[1:16:46] questions.
[1:16:49] Uh,
[1:16:50] thank you, attorney uh, Cooper.
[1:16:53] Um,
[1:16:55] and thank you for joining us. Um,
[1:16:57] like, are you already approved manager
[1:16:59] of record? Did I miss that?
[1:17:01] Uh, yes, I am.
[1:17:02] Okay.
[1:17:04] Um, with that, I have no questions.
[1:17:05] Commissioner Saxon, do you have any
[1:17:07] questions?
[1:17:08] I do not. Thank you.
[1:17:11] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[1:17:12] would like to testify on this matter,
[1:17:14] beginning with elected officials or
[1:17:15] their representatives?
[1:17:20] Seeing none, the board will take this
[1:17:22] under advisement, as well. Thank you.
[1:17:25] Calling at number 26, Casarosi LLC,
[1:17:28] doing business as Frenchy, located at
[1:17:30] 560 Tremont Street in Roxbury, holder of
[1:17:33] a common victualer 7-day wines and malt
[1:17:34] beverages with the all alcohol license,
[1:17:36] has petition to transfer the license
[1:17:37] from the above to 562 Tremont LLC, doing
[1:17:40] business as Osteria 560 at the same
[1:17:43] location. Matthew Burns, manager, 12:00
[1:17:45] a.m. closing hour. The applicant has
[1:17:47] also petitioned to update the
[1:17:48] description of the premise as follows:
[1:17:50] approximately 1,900 square feet of
[1:17:52] restaurant space with one entrance and
[1:17:54] one exit on the first floor and garden
[1:17:55] level of a five-story mixed-use
[1:17:57] building. First floor includes a dining
[1:17:59] area entrance and one exit on the first
[1:18:01] floor and garden level of a five-story
[1:18:03] Sorry, first floor includes a dining
[1:18:04] area, bar area, kitchen, and greenhouse
[1:18:06] eating area. Garden level includes an
[1:18:08] additional kitchen, storage, and
[1:18:09] restrooms. Also includes an
[1:18:11] approximately 12 120 square foot
[1:18:13] seasonal April through October outdoor
[1:18:15] patio on private property with seating
[1:18:17] for 17 and a closing hour of 12:00 a.m.
[1:18:20] Attorney Mark Evloutis, Attorney
[1:18:22] Evloutis?
[1:18:23] Good morning, Chairman Joyce,
[1:18:24] Commissioner Saxon, Executive Secretary
[1:18:26] Deanie Green. Mark Evloutis for 562
[1:18:30] Tremont Street LLC, doing business as
[1:18:33] Estratto 560. I have with me today
[1:18:35] Matthew Burns, who is
[1:18:37] uh, one of the owners and is the
[1:18:39] proposed manager of record in regards to
[1:18:41] the transfer of the license that is a
[1:18:43] corp-to-corp
[1:18:45] transfer of license. It's going to stay
[1:18:47] at the same location with no change in
[1:18:49] floor plan,
[1:18:50] no change in hours of operation. It's
[1:18:53] going to be more of a American Bistro
[1:18:55] with a concentration in seafood. We did
[1:18:59] some community else outreach. We reached
[1:19:01] out to the mayor's office neighborhood
[1:19:03] services, spoke with Michaela Née. She
[1:19:05] explained that we did not have to do any
[1:19:07] neighborhood association meetings at
[1:19:09] that time because the license was
[1:19:10] staying in the same place.
[1:19:12] Uh
[1:19:14] Partners Seth Woods and Matt Burns have
[1:19:16] been in this neighborhood for many, many
[1:19:18] years, 30-plus years. And they own the
[1:19:20] Aquitaine Group, which does business as
[1:19:23] Metropolis Cafe at 584 Tremont Street
[1:19:26] and Aquitaine at 569 Tremont Street. So,
[1:19:29] they're right in the neighborhood and
[1:19:30] all the neighbors know them as good
[1:19:32] neighbors.
[1:19:33] Uh Burns has got 30 years experience in
[1:19:35] the hospitality industry. He's TIP
[1:19:37] certified. He's a Massachusetts
[1:19:39] resident. He is a
[1:19:42] uh
[1:19:43] knowledgeable of the rules and
[1:19:45] regulations of this board, the ABCC, and
[1:19:47] the laws of the Commonwealth of
[1:19:49] Massachusetts.
[1:19:51] Uh with that being said, we are here to
[1:19:53] answer any questions you may have.
[1:19:56] Thank you.
[1:19:57] Thanks, attorney. And thank you for
[1:19:59] joining us, Mr. Burns. Just one question
[1:20:01] that your uh attorney left out. Are you
[1:20:03] a citizen or do you have a work permit?
[1:20:05] [clears throat]
[1:20:05] I'm a I'm a citizen, yeah.
[1:20:08] Um I have no questions. Commissioner
[1:20:09] Saxon, do you have any questions?
[1:20:11] I do not. Thank you.
[1:20:13] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[1:20:14] would like to testify on this matter,
[1:20:15] beginning with elected officials or
[1:20:17] their representatives?
[1:20:23] Seeing none, the board will take this
[1:20:25] matter under advisement. Thank you.
[1:20:26] Sorry.
[1:20:28] Going on record in support. Thank you.
[1:20:30] Thank you very much. Are there any other
[1:20:32] individuals who would like to testify in
[1:20:33] this matter?
[1:20:37] Board will take this under advisement.
[1:20:38] Thank you very much.
[1:20:40] Item 27, Boston Urban Hospitality Inc.
[1:20:43] doing business as Boston Chops located
[1:20:45] at 1375 Washington Street in Roxbury,
[1:20:47] holder of a common victualer 7-day all
[1:20:49] alcoholic beverages license has
[1:20:50] petitioned to transfer the license from
[1:20:52] the above to Washington Street Spirits
[1:20:54] LLC at the same location. Shawn McGrath,
[1:20:57] manager, 1:00 a.m. closing hour. Who is
[1:20:59] present on behalf of the applicant?
[1:21:02] Good morning. Richard Levin, attorney
[1:21:05] for the applicant and also for the owner
[1:21:08] of the condominium.
[1:21:10] And Shawn McGrath is is also in
[1:21:13] attendance.
[1:21:15] The
[1:21:16] manager of the applicant as well as Dean
[1:21:19] Klevis, the chief operating officer of
[1:21:22] the uh
[1:21:23] of Stillgate Group. And I believe James
[1:21:26] McGrath, Shawn's son, are with us this
[1:21:29] morning.
[1:21:29] Thank you. Just really briefly before
[1:21:31] you continue with your presentation, I
[1:21:33] don't see the proposed manager of
[1:21:34] record. If you're with us, if you could
[1:21:36] please just turn your camera on so the
[1:21:37] board knows that you're with us.
[1:21:41] And in the meantime, while he's trying
[1:21:43] to turn his camera on, attorney you may
[1:21:44] continue.
[1:21:45] There we go.
[1:21:46] Yes.
[1:21:47] So, Shawn McGrath is actually no longer
[1:21:50] on the call. I think he might have been
[1:21:53] having some technical difficulties, but
[1:21:55] I work closely with him and I'm here in
[1:21:57] his place as well.
[1:21:59] James
[1:22:00] James is Shawn's is son. Shawn
[1:22:02] had the surgery
[1:22:04] significant abdominal surgery
[1:22:08] last week. So, he's uh
[1:22:11] is not healthy right now.
[1:22:16] Danny?
[1:22:17] Yeah, was he on the call? Is it possible
[1:22:19] to get him back on the call? It sounds
[1:22:20] like he was on previously.
[1:22:22] He was. Yes, he he was on the call. I I
[1:22:25] he was having an issue
[1:22:27] on his end. I'll I'll try and get him
[1:22:29] back on the call.
[1:22:31] Is that
[1:22:33] I guess maybe Rick, if you want to
[1:22:35] Are there other matters that we can
[1:22:39] We we can certainly take a second call
[1:22:41] for this item and just move this to the
[1:22:42] to the end of the
[1:22:43] Or or just let us know when he does
[1:22:45] rejoin, we'll take him right away if he
[1:22:47] has an issue. We just want to get He
[1:22:48] needs to We requested their presence.
[1:22:51] Okay.
[1:22:52] The questions.
[1:22:55] Thank you. Yeah, so we will continue
[1:22:56] this matter.
[1:22:58] If either of you can just drop me a chat
[1:23:00] when he has arrived, we can take him as
[1:23:02] the next item.
[1:23:03] Okay.
[1:23:04] Thank you. Tim, moving on. Calling into
[1:23:06] the record item number 28, LaSalle Hotel
[1:23:09] Lessee L Inc. doing business as Hyatt
[1:23:11] Boston Harbor, located at 101 Harborside
[1:23:13] Drive in East Boston. Holder of an in
[1:23:15] holder all alcoholic beverage license
[1:23:17] has petitioned to transfer the license
[1:23:19] from the above to Boston Harbor Lessee
[1:23:20] LLC doing business as Hyatt Boston
[1:23:23] Harbor at the same location. Chad Goody,
[1:23:25] manager, 2:00 a.m. closing hour.
[1:23:28] The applicant has also petitioned to
[1:23:29] update the description of the premise as
[1:23:30] follows. Whole of said 15-story hotel
[1:23:33] building covering 216,900 square feet
[1:23:36] with six entrances and 13 exits. Hotel
[1:23:39] includes a first floor lobby pool area,
[1:23:41] three meeting rooms, restaurant, and
[1:23:42] 3,622 square foot outdoor patio.
[1:23:46] Second floor, six meeting rooms and a
[1:23:47] kitchen. Third floor, four meeting
[1:23:49] rooms, pre-function areas, and 14 guest
[1:23:51] rooms. Floors 4 through 14, all guest
[1:23:54] rooms. And 15th floor, guest rooms in
[1:23:56] one meeting room.
[1:23:57] License premise also includes two
[1:23:58] outdoor event spaces. Harbor Pavilion,
[1:24:01] 4,500 square feet. And West Lawn, 1,649
[1:24:04] square feet.
[1:24:05] Total outdoor license space covers
[1:24:07] approximately 9,771 square feet. And
[1:24:10] total license premises covers
[1:24:11] approximately 224,000 square feet.
[1:24:14] Seasonal outdoor service takes place
[1:24:15] from May to October, and outdoor spaces
[1:24:17] close at 11:00 p.m. Who is present on
[1:24:19] behalf of the applicant?
[1:24:22] Good morning. My name is Whitney
[1:24:23] Gillings. I'm with Blue Bonnet
[1:24:25] Consulting and
[1:24:28] Oh, you've gone on mute.
[1:24:33] Good morning. Thank you, Secretary
[1:24:34] Green. Um my name is Whitney Gillings.
[1:24:37] I'm from Blue Bonnet Consulting. I'm
[1:24:39] here on behalf of Boston Harbor Lessee
[1:24:42] LLC, the applicant to transfer this
[1:24:44] license from LaSalle Hotel Lessee Inc.
[1:24:47] I'm joined by the proposed manager of
[1:24:49] record, Chad Goudy. And um
[1:24:53] this is a standard um
[1:24:55] transfer of the liquor license. Um
[1:24:58] Boston Harbor Lessee is acquiring the
[1:24:59] liquor license from LaSalle. Um it's my
[1:25:03] understanding that the
[1:25:05] um hotel property is currently licensed
[1:25:09] um in this way to cover this entire
[1:25:12] premises including the outdoor
[1:25:14] pavilions. Um we have just
[1:25:17] um added a more robust description of
[1:25:20] the premises per what's on the license
[1:25:22] now. Um there it are no proposed changes
[1:25:26] to the hours of operation um or um
[1:25:32] the operations of the food and beverage
[1:25:33] within the hotel.
[1:25:38] And we are here to answer any questions
[1:25:40] um should they have them.
[1:25:45] Okay. Um
[1:25:47] and Mr. Goudy, you're the
[1:25:49] manager record?
[1:25:51] Correct.
[1:25:52] Were you already approved by this board?
[1:25:54] I am not.
[1:25:55] Um are you a citizen or do you have work
[1:25:57] authorization?
[1:25:58] I'm a permanent resident.
[1:26:00] Do you live in Massachusetts?
[1:26:04] I certainly do.
[1:26:05] What is your experience in the food and
[1:26:07] beverage industry?
[1:26:09] I have 25 years of management of food
[1:26:11] and beverage food and beverage director
[1:26:13] for old over 15 years. Excuse me.
[1:26:17] And are you familiar with the rules and
[1:26:18] regulations of this board, the ABCC, and
[1:26:20] the laws of the Commonwealth pertaining
[1:26:22] to the sale and service of alcohol?
[1:26:24] I am.
[1:26:25] All right, thank you very much.
[1:26:26] Commissioner Saxon, do you have any
[1:26:27] questions?
[1:26:28] I do not, thank you.
[1:26:32] Are there any individuals who would like
[1:26:33] to testify on this matter, beginning
[1:26:34] with elected officials or their
[1:26:35] representatives?
[1:26:40] Seeing none, the board will take this
[1:26:41] under advisement. Thank you very much.
[1:26:43] Thank you.
[1:26:46] Item 29, Nine Restaurant Group LLC doing
[1:26:48] business as Nine, located at Nine Park
[1:26:50] Street, holder of an all alcoholic
[1:26:52] beverage license, a 7-day all alcoholic
[1:26:53] beverage license, has petitioned to
[1:26:55] transfer the license from the above to
[1:26:57] Nine Park Street Restaurant Group LLC
[1:26:59] doing business as Fumo Beacon Hill at
[1:27:01] the same location. Luigi Fanini, 1:00
[1:27:04] a.m. closing hour. The applicant has
[1:27:05] also petitioned to pledge the license to
[1:27:07] Nine PSR LLC. Who is present on behalf
[1:27:09] of the applicant?
[1:27:11] Thank you, Secretary Green, and good
[1:27:12] morning, Madam Chair, members of the
[1:27:13] board. Attorney Ryan Gaucher on behalf
[1:27:15] of Nine Park Street Restaurant Group
[1:27:16] LLC.
[1:27:18] Uh with me on the call as well as Luigi
[1:27:19] Fanini, who is the proposed manager of
[1:27:21] record. Uh this application concerns a
[1:27:23] transfer and purchase of the existing
[1:27:25] liquor license and business assets
[1:27:27] formerly used in the operation of the
[1:27:29] restaurant doing business as Nine at
[1:27:31] Nine Park Street, which closed down
[1:27:33] within the past year.
[1:27:34] Um my client has entered into an APA
[1:27:37] with the former operator to acquire
[1:27:39] ownership of both the existing
[1:27:41] restaurant assets as well as the liquor
[1:27:42] license to be transferred to a new owner
[1:27:45] at the same location for the operation
[1:27:47] of a new restaurant doing business as
[1:27:49] Fumo Beacon Hill within that same space.
[1:27:52] Um this will be a new concept that is an
[1:27:53] Italian-American restaurant, uh which is
[1:27:56] operated successfully in multiple other
[1:27:58] locations in New York, um and the
[1:28:00] operator is excited for the opportunity
[1:28:01] to expand here in Boston.
[1:28:03] Um so overall, this site will remain a
[1:28:05] full-service sit-down restaurant as it
[1:28:07] has in the past. Um and aside from a
[1:28:09] refresh of the space and rebranding, um
[1:28:12] hours of operation, capacity, everything
[1:28:14] else will otherwise be remaining the
[1:28:16] same as it historically has at the site.
[1:28:19] Um in addition to the license transfer
[1:28:21] as was read into the record, we're all
[1:28:23] also seeking a pledge of the license in
[1:28:25] connection with um funding towards the
[1:28:27] asset acquisition that was provided by
[1:28:29] the landlord. So, the license will be
[1:28:31] pledged as collateral to secure that
[1:28:33] loan.
[1:28:34] Um the manager of record is Luigi
[1:28:35] Finini. He is a Massachusetts resident.
[1:28:38] He is a permanent US resident with work
[1:28:40] authorization. He is familiar with the
[1:28:42] rules and regulations regarding the sale
[1:28:44] and service of alcohol, and he does have
[1:28:46] extensive experience in the food and
[1:28:48] beverage industry having formally um
[1:28:51] managed and operated the Fumo locations
[1:28:53] in New York. Um having said that, we
[1:28:55] would ask that the application be
[1:28:56] approved, but we're happy to answer any
[1:28:58] questions you might have this morning.
[1:29:00] Thank you, attorney. Thank you, Mr.
[1:29:01] Finini for joining us. I have no
[1:29:03] questions at this time. Commissioner
[1:29:04] Saxon, do you?
[1:29:06] Uh none. Thank you.
[1:29:09] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[1:29:10] would like to testify on this matter
[1:29:11] beginning with elected officials or
[1:29:13] their representatives?
[1:29:16] Actually, you may please go ahead.
[1:29:18] Thank you, Counselor. I'd like to go on
[1:29:19] record in support. Thank you.
[1:29:22] Thank you very much. Are there any other
[1:29:23] individuals who would like to testify on
[1:29:24] this matter?
[1:29:28] Board will take this under advisement as
[1:29:29] well. Thank you.
[1:29:30] Thank you.
[1:29:32] Calling out of number 30, Amelia's
[1:29:34] Trattoria 4 Inc. doing business as
[1:29:36] Amelia's Trattoria, located at 1076
[1:29:38] Boylston Street. Holder of A Komuvich or
[1:29:40] 7-Day Wines and Malt Beverages with the
[1:29:42] Quota license has petitioned to transfer
[1:29:43] license and the location from the above
[1:29:46] to Seaport Lane Hospitality LLC doing
[1:29:49] business as American Provisions and
[1:29:51] Magazines, located at 2 Seaport Lane.
[1:29:53] Matthew Thayer, manager, 1 a.m. closing
[1:29:55] hour. Premises consists of unit 1C,
[1:29:59] 3,531 sq ft total, 2,931 sq ft in one
[1:30:03] room on ground floor with main dining
[1:30:05] area and bar area, kitchen and storage
[1:30:07] in rear, approximately 600 square foot
[1:30:09] at seasonal outdoor patio, April to
[1:30:11] October, on private property with 24
[1:30:13] seats.
[1:30:14] Two main entrances on Seaport Lane and
[1:30:16] via the main lobby of the building, and
[1:30:17] four exits, two on Seaport Lane, two to
[1:30:19] the main lobby.
[1:30:21] Closing hour patio is 10:00 p.m.
[1:30:23] Additionally, the applicant is
[1:30:24] petitioning to change the classification
[1:30:25] of its license to a restricted all
[1:30:27] alcoholic beverages license pursuant to
[1:30:29] the authority contained in chapter 138,
[1:30:31] section 12D. Attorney Kristen Scanlon,
[1:30:33] Attorney Scanlon.
[1:30:35] Good morning, Attorney Green, Madam
[1:30:36] Chair, members of the board. Kristen
[1:30:38] Scanlon for the applicant. Signed on
[1:30:40] with us this morning are co-owners
[1:30:42] Matthew Thayer and Andy Fadous of this
[1:30:45] concept before you this morning. Um, as
[1:30:47] an initial matter, Matt is the proposed
[1:30:50] manager of record. He is a US citizen,
[1:30:53] Massachusetts resident, and is familiar
[1:30:54] with the rules and regulations as they
[1:30:56] relate to the service and sale of
[1:30:57] alcohol in the Commonwealth and in the
[1:30:59] city of Boston, and also has extensive
[1:31:01] experience, um, upwards of two decades
[1:31:04] in the restaurant industry.
[1:31:06] The proposal before you this morning,
[1:31:08] again, is a transfer of a wine, malt,
[1:31:10] and cordials license to a new location
[1:31:13] at Two Seaport East, as well as a change
[1:31:15] of category to upgrade the license to a
[1:31:17] restricted all alcohol beverage license
[1:31:19] for the new restaurant at this location.
[1:31:22] You may recognize Matt and Andy as the
[1:31:25] owners of American Provisions and Gray's
[1:31:27] Hall in South Boston, as well as
[1:31:29] American Provisions in Dorchester. Uh,
[1:31:32] by way of background, they initially
[1:31:33] opened American Provisions in South
[1:31:36] Boston in December of 2010, later
[1:31:39] followed, uh, with a second location for
[1:31:41] American Provisions in Dorchester in
[1:31:43] February of 2019, and then Gray's Hall
[1:31:45] back in South Boston, which is the
[1:31:48] neighbor restaurant, uh, to American
[1:31:50] Provisions on East Broadway in December
[1:31:53] of 2019.
[1:31:55] Since that time, they have been, uh, an
[1:31:57] incredible asset to both the South South
[1:32:00] Boston and Dorchester neighborhoods and
[1:32:02] notable uh, uh businesses in Boston
[1:32:05] generally speaking as a small-scale
[1:32:08] grocer, uh cafe, bakery, and coffee and
[1:32:11] sandwich shop, as well as the restaurant
[1:32:13] in Grace Hall.
[1:32:14] And have been exemplary licensees in
[1:32:17] each respective spot. Uh since opening
[1:32:20] in 2010, they've always remained true to
[1:32:23] their mission and what they've promised
[1:32:25] and delivered to the neighborhoods, and
[1:32:27] that theme will only continue for uh
[1:32:30] what they're planning to bring to the
[1:32:31] Seaport neighborhood.
[1:32:33] The concept for this particular location
[1:32:36] uh is similar to their South Boston
[1:32:37] concepts, offering a cafe and bakery
[1:32:40] concept of American Provisions on one
[1:32:42] side, as well as a new restaurant to be
[1:32:44] known as Maxines on the other, all
[1:32:46] within one small uh one space. Maxines
[1:32:50] will have a different menu than Grace
[1:32:51] Hall, but keeping with the theme of a
[1:32:53] new American neighborhood restaurant
[1:32:56] offering shareable and budget-friendly
[1:32:58] menu items, small plates uh with a wine
[1:33:01] focus, and a more intimate setting. As
[1:33:04] far as the space itself is concerned,
[1:33:06] it's approximately 3,000 square feet. It
[1:33:09] does include a seasonal outdoor patio.
[1:33:11] Uh overall seating is around um 65 seats
[1:33:15] with proposed hours of operation from
[1:33:17] 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. They do plan to
[1:33:21] um
[1:33:21] offer brunch on the weekends, which uh
[1:33:24] is incorporates that earlier time, as
[1:33:27] well as the cafe concept in American
[1:33:29] Provisions inside the building, as well.
[1:33:32] Uh as this is a transfer to new
[1:33:33] location, as far as public need is
[1:33:35] concerned, this particular location has
[1:33:38] been vacant um within the building for
[1:33:40] several years now. I know a few
[1:33:43] different restaurants have had their
[1:33:44] sights on the space um in the past uh
[1:33:47] couple of years, but for one reason or
[1:33:49] another, it hasn't panned out. So, I
[1:33:52] think all involved, the neighborhood,
[1:33:54] the building, the landlord, and of
[1:33:55] course the applicants themselves are
[1:33:57] excited to be able to bring something uh
[1:33:59] uh uh to this space to uh liven it up
[1:34:02] and activate it. It will not only be an
[1:34:04] amenity to the building itself, which is
[1:34:07] a larger office building, but the
[1:34:08] neighborhood as well. Um as the board is
[1:34:11] well aware and intimately familiar,
[1:34:13] there are several large format
[1:34:15] restaurants in Seaport. Um
[1:34:18] and this will be a welcome addition to
[1:34:20] several nearby residential buildings
[1:34:22] within walking distance, not to mention
[1:34:24] several hotels in the immediate
[1:34:25] surrounding area offering uh consistent
[1:34:28] and quality menu items and beverage
[1:34:31] program in a smaller neighborhood
[1:34:33] setting, which is something that's uh
[1:34:35] somewhat lacking within Seaport given
[1:34:38] the uh number of larger, again, format
[1:34:40] restaurants that we see there. Um their
[1:34:43] reputation, again, precedes them and
[1:34:45] what they will bring to the
[1:34:46] neighborhood, and in this will really be
[1:34:48] a true neighborhood spot, which is a bit
[1:34:50] few and far between in Seaport.
[1:34:52] Um also with the American Provisions
[1:34:55] concept being brought to this location
[1:34:56] as well, they will they will offer an
[1:34:59] additional fast casual
[1:35:01] lunch option for folks working in the
[1:35:03] area, um which is lacking since some
[1:35:05] other fast casual concepts have closed
[1:35:08] uh in the recent months and years
[1:35:10] nearby.
[1:35:11] As far as the community process is
[1:35:13] concerned, we did do a walk-through of
[1:35:15] the space and a meeting with the Seaport
[1:35:16] Neighborhood Association, which was met
[1:35:19] um with support. I believe the board is
[1:35:21] in receipt of um
[1:35:23] uh their support uh echoing those
[1:35:25] sentiments as well.
[1:35:27] Um and they last but not least, they
[1:35:29] anticipate opening in either spring or
[1:35:32] summer of next year.
[1:35:34] That being said, we're certainly happy
[1:35:36] to answer any questions or address any
[1:35:38] concerns the board might have.
[1:35:41] Uh thank you very much, attorney, and
[1:35:43] thank you for joining us um today.
[1:35:46] Um
[1:35:47] Mr. Thayer, I think I saw you. Yep. And
[1:35:49] I have no questions.
[1:35:51] Commissioner Saxon, do you?
[1:35:53] I do not. Thank you.
[1:35:58] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[1:35:59] would like to testify on this matter
[1:36:00] beginning with elected officials or
[1:36:01] their representatives?
[1:36:03] Yes, Madam Chair, members of the board,
[1:36:05] Conor Newman with the mayor's office of
[1:36:06] neighborhood services. This time the
[1:36:08] mayor's office defer to the judgment of
[1:36:10] this board. As you heard from the
[1:36:11] applicant's representation, they were
[1:36:13] connected to the Seaport Neighborhood
[1:36:14] Association. I understand their members
[1:36:17] did an on-site visit and expressed no
[1:36:18] concerns after speaking for at length
[1:36:21] with the applicant.
[1:36:22] Presently, I'm unaware of any further
[1:36:23] concerns, but I'll defer to the board.
[1:36:25] Thank you.
[1:36:28] Thank you. Ashley, I see your hand
[1:36:30] raised. You may also provide your
[1:36:31] testimony.
[1:36:33] Councilor Flynn likes to go on record in
[1:36:35] support based on feedback from neighbors
[1:36:37] in the Seaport Neighborhood Association.
[1:36:39] We respectfully request that the
[1:36:40] proponent continue to work closely with
[1:36:42] the neighbors on any quality of life
[1:36:44] issues. Thank you.
[1:36:46] Thank you very much. Are there any other
[1:36:47] individuals who would like to testify on
[1:36:48] this matter?
[1:36:51] The board will take this under
[1:36:52] advisement as well. Thank you very much.
[1:36:55] Thank you.
[1:36:56] I do see that we have been joined by Mr.
[1:36:58] McGrath. Thank you very much for being
[1:36:59] with us. We hope you're doing well. We
[1:37:00] will return to item number 27, which has
[1:37:03] already been read into the record. So,
[1:37:05] attorney Levin, if you would like to
[1:37:07] pick up where where we left off.
[1:37:09] Yes.
[1:37:10] So, the the applicant is does not intend
[1:37:13] to operate the license.
[1:37:17] The
[1:37:18] the license uh
[1:37:19] was was owned by Boston Urban
[1:37:22] Hospitality doing business as Boston
[1:37:24] Chops.
[1:37:26] It's situated on
[1:37:28] in a mixed-use building.
[1:37:31] May I interrupt for a minute, attorney?
[1:37:33] Just because I don't want to put Mr.
[1:37:35] McGrath McGrath out any further. If you
[1:37:37] don't mind, I'd like to just ask him the
[1:37:38] four questions so that he can
[1:37:40] um
[1:37:41] Sure thing. On the following order.
[1:37:43] By all means.
[1:37:44] Mr. McGrath, I'm sorry to uh you through
[1:37:46] this in the
[1:37:47] No, you're fine.
[1:37:48] Great.
[1:37:48] you a citizen or do you have work
[1:37:49] authorization?
[1:37:51] Yes.
[1:37:52] Do you live in Massachusetts?
[1:37:53] Yes.
[1:37:55] Do you have experience in the food and
[1:37:56] beverage industry?
[1:37:57] Yes.
[1:37:58] Are you familiar with the rules and
[1:37:59] regulations of this board, the ABCC, and
[1:38:01] the laws of the Commonwealth pertaining
[1:38:03] to the sale and service of alcohol?
[1:38:05] Yes.
[1:38:05] Okay, thank you. We don't need you
[1:38:06] anymore.
[1:38:07] Okay, have a great day. Thank you very
[1:38:09] much.
[1:38:09] Uh you may go.
[1:38:10] Thank you, Sean.
[1:38:11] Yeah.
[1:38:13] Go ahead, uh Mr. Levin, if you have any
[1:38:15] other stuff you want to add.
[1:38:16] Uh yes, so uh
[1:38:18] the um
[1:38:19] Boston Chops went out of business in uh
[1:38:22] uh December 31st of uh 2025.
[1:38:25] Uh it had pledged the the license to uh
[1:38:29] to the landlord and owner of the
[1:38:31] condominium uh PSB Investments too.
[1:38:34] Uh
[1:38:36] the um
[1:38:38] the license was uh was pledged, as I
[1:38:40] say, and uh
[1:38:42] in lieu of a foreclosure, uh Boston
[1:38:44] Urban Hospitality and uh PSB Investments
[1:38:48] entered into a purchase and sale
[1:38:49] agreement uh
[1:38:51] to
[1:38:52] uh
[1:38:52] in consideration of forgiveness of debt
[1:38:55] um
[1:38:56] the the debt was uh was incurred to
[1:38:58] finance for the purchase of the license.
[1:39:01] Uh so, uh we're now seeking a uh a
[1:39:04] replacement tenant for the uh for the
[1:39:05] property,
[1:39:07] uh and the applicant uh simply is
[1:39:11] going to serve as a placeholder
[1:39:13] uh and not operate the license uh with
[1:39:15] the intention of transferring it to a
[1:39:18] to a new restaurant once one has been
[1:39:20] secured. Uh
[1:39:22] the the space is being actively
[1:39:23] marketed, but there is there were no
[1:39:25] negotiations ongoing at this time.
[1:39:29] So, I'm available to answer any
[1:39:30] questions, as is Mr. Clevis, who's with
[1:39:32] us, and
[1:39:34] uh
[1:39:34] and defer to you.
[1:39:36] Uh thank you.
[1:39:37] Um no questions from me, Commissioner
[1:39:39] Saxon.
[1:39:43] Sorry, wouldn't unmute. Uh no questions
[1:39:45] Thank you.
[1:39:46] Thank you very much. Are there any
[1:39:47] individuals who would like to testify on
[1:39:48] this matter beginning with elected
[1:39:49] officials or their representatives?
[1:39:54] Board will take this under advisement as
[1:39:55] well. Thank you very much.
[1:39:57] Thank you.
[1:39:58] And while we are out of order and before
[1:40:00] we move on to the final two items which
[1:40:02] are new license applications, I do
[1:40:03] believe all of these second calls are
[1:40:06] with us. So, we will take those in
[1:40:07] order. Item number four, I do believe
[1:40:10] Mr. Dang is with us so Bostonian Hotel
[1:40:12] Limited Partnership is just seeking to
[1:40:14] change the manager to Mr. Neil Dang who
[1:40:16] is with us.
[1:40:17] Um
[1:40:18] Chairman, do you just want to go through
[1:40:19] the change of manager questions for Mr.
[1:40:21] Dang?
[1:40:22] Yes, Mr. Dang, are you a citizen or do
[1:40:24] you have work authorization?
[1:40:25] I am a US citizen.
[1:40:27] Great. Do you live in Massachusetts?
[1:40:28] Yes, I do.
[1:40:30] What is your experience in the food and
[1:40:31] beverage industry?
[1:40:32] Uh over 20 years of experience in
[1:40:34] restaurants and hotels.
[1:40:35] Okay. Are you familiar with the rules
[1:40:37] and regulations of our board, the ABCC,
[1:40:39] and the laws of the Commonwealth
[1:40:40] pertaining to the sale and service of
[1:40:42] alcohol?
[1:40:43] Yes, I am.
[1:40:44] Great. I have no questions. Thank you
[1:40:45] for um sticking here with us.
[1:40:48] Commissioner Saxon, do you have any
[1:40:49] questions?
[1:40:49] None for me. Thank you.
[1:40:51] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[1:40:52] would like to testify on this matter?
[1:40:57] Thank you very much. The board will take
[1:40:58] this under advisement and thank you for
[1:41:00] being with us.
[1:41:01] Thank you. Appreciate it for tuning.
[1:41:03] Thank
[1:41:03] Thank you.
[1:41:05] Um second call for item number six. I do
[1:41:07] see uh Richard Mr. Maldonado is with us.
[1:41:10] Um it does not appear that you're on a
[1:41:12] device that can show video. Um
[1:41:16] Mr. Maldonado, is it possible to call in
[1:41:19] on a device that uh here I see you're in
[1:41:21] the waiting room right now.
[1:41:26] Here we go. Mr. Maldonado, are you with
[1:41:28] us on a device where you can turn your
[1:41:30] your video on?
[1:41:35] There we go. Item number six, Yau Yat
[1:41:37] House USA Inc. is petitioning to change
[1:41:39] the manager to Richard Maldonado, who is
[1:41:41] with us.
[1:41:43] Yes.
[1:41:44] Uh thank you, Mr. Maldonado. Are you a
[1:41:46] citizen or do you have work
[1:41:47] authorization?
[1:41:49] I'm a citizen.
[1:41:50] Do you live in Massachusetts?
[1:41:52] Yes.
[1:41:53] Do you have experience in the food and
[1:41:54] beverage industry?
[1:41:55] Over 10 years.
[1:41:57] Are you familiar with our rules and
[1:41:58] regulations, the laws of the
[1:41:59] Commonwealth, and the ABCC as they
[1:42:01] pertain to the sale and service of
[1:42:02] alcohol?
[1:42:04] Yes.
[1:42:05] Thank you. Commissioner Sexton, do you
[1:42:06] have any questions?
[1:42:07] I do not. Thank you.
[1:42:09] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[1:42:10] would like to testify on this matter?
[1:42:14] The board will take this matter under
[1:42:16] advisement as well, and thank you for
[1:42:18] joining us, Mr. Maldonado.
[1:42:20] Thank you.
[1:42:21] And the final second call is for item
[1:42:23] number seven, First Watch Restaurants
[1:42:25] Inc. uh petitioning for a change of
[1:42:27] officers. Uh Mr. Lankowski, if you could
[1:42:29] please just uh briefly walk us through
[1:42:30] that.
[1:42:32] Yes, um our uh chief financial officer
[1:42:35] Mel Hope has retired, and the position
[1:42:37] has been given to Ashley Weiser, uh and
[1:42:40] she is now our chief financial officer.
[1:42:45] Um
[1:42:47] I'm sorry, where are we?
[1:42:48] This is item number seven, First Watch,
[1:42:50] change of officers.
[1:42:50] Oh, yes. Okay, thank you.
[1:42:57] Um I guess my only question is, are
[1:42:59] there any operational changes? This is
[1:43:01] just a change of officers, correct?
[1:43:03] This is just a change of officers. No
[1:43:05] operational changes whatsoever.
[1:43:07] Okay, great. Thank you. Thank you for
[1:43:09] Thank you.
[1:43:09] hanging on there with us. Um I've no
[1:43:11] questions. Commissioner Sexton, do you?
[1:43:13] No questions. Thank you.
[1:43:14] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[1:43:16] would like to testify on this matter?
[1:43:20] The board will take this under
[1:43:20] advisement as well, and thank you for
[1:43:23] your patience this morning.
[1:43:25] And returning to the order of this
[1:43:27] morning's hearing, calling item number
[1:43:29] 31, Patel Town Line Variety Inc., doing
[1:43:32] business as Townline Variety, located at
[1:43:34] 138 Tremont Street in Brighton,
[1:43:36] has applied for a new retail package
[1:43:38] store all alcoholic beverages license to
[1:43:40] be exercised on the above 1,496 sq ft
[1:43:43] total. Approximately 1,000 sq ft on the
[1:43:45] first floor in one main room, 496 sq ft
[1:43:48] basement for storage, main entrance exit
[1:43:50] on Tremont Street, emergency exit in
[1:43:52] rear of premises. Manager, Hardil Patel.
[1:43:55] Closing time 11:00 p.m. Attorney Kristen
[1:43:57] Scanlon, Attorney Scanlon.
[1:43:59] Good morning, again Madam Chair, members
[1:44:00] of the board, Attorney Green, Kristen
[1:44:02] Scanlon for the applicant. On with us
[1:44:05] this morning is owner and proposed
[1:44:08] manager of record, Hardil Patel.
[1:44:10] As an initial matter, he does have work
[1:44:13] authorization, is a Massachusetts
[1:44:14] resident, and familiar with the rules
[1:44:16] and regulations regarding the service
[1:44:17] and sale of alcohol. He does also have
[1:44:20] experience in the industry, including
[1:44:22] ownership in another business
[1:44:24] in Boston with a package store license.
[1:44:27] The proposal before you this morning, as
[1:44:30] Attorney Green indicated, is for a new
[1:44:32] all alcohol beverage package store
[1:44:34] license for an existing convenience
[1:44:36] store. By way of background, this while
[1:44:38] this particular location has been a
[1:44:41] local convenience store for well over
[1:44:43] four decades, Mr. Patel recently took
[1:44:46] the store over within the past year from
[1:44:47] another family member who owned it since
[1:44:50] 2004.
[1:44:52] The store itself is approximately 1,000
[1:44:55] sq ft on one floor with basement for
[1:44:58] storage, and the current hours of
[1:44:59] operation are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
[1:45:01] daily, but they're seeking a later
[1:45:03] closing hour until 11:00 p.m. in the
[1:45:05] event they are successful in obtaining a
[1:45:08] license. This is a typical local
[1:45:11] neighborhood convenience store with
[1:45:13] current offerings of items such as
[1:45:15] bread, dairy products, medicine, dry
[1:45:17] goods, and cleaning supplies, snacks,
[1:45:19] and beverages. Soup, eggs, frozen foods,
[1:45:23] some deli meats, lottery, and tobacco
[1:45:24] products.
[1:45:27] They
[1:45:28] um plan to keep that with the addition
[1:45:30] of uh the license if they're able to um
[1:45:34] obtain one.
[1:45:35] As far as their clientele is concerned,
[1:45:36] it's definitely a mix of patrons to the
[1:45:39] store, but the majority of regular
[1:45:40] customers in the store live in the
[1:45:42] immediate immediate vicinity of the
[1:45:44] Brighton neighborhood, um which is also
[1:45:46] uh pretty close to the Newton line and
[1:45:49] within walking distance.
[1:45:51] They'd like to add the license to not
[1:45:52] only incorporate beer and wine as well
[1:45:54] as spirits, but uh for the reason of the
[1:45:58] ever and increasingly popular uh ready
[1:46:00] to drink uh beverage items like your
[1:46:03] High Noons and Sun Cruisers. As far as
[1:46:05] those particular offerings are concerned
[1:46:07] between the three categories um
[1:46:10] of alcohol offerings, they would split
[1:46:13] that pretty evenly across the board. Um
[1:46:16] with the addition of any alcohol
[1:46:17] product, I know this is often a concern
[1:46:19] not only to the board, but within the
[1:46:21] neighborhoods as well when uh
[1:46:23] convenience stores
[1:46:25] and neighborhood markets are looking to
[1:46:26] offer
[1:46:28] um alcohol uh licensing or licenses, um
[1:46:32] they have no plan to take away from the
[1:46:33] current store offerings. They will add a
[1:46:36] few coolers um to the store and will
[1:46:38] reorganize the store to incorporate the
[1:46:40] product while continuing to offer all
[1:46:43] the items they now have for sale and
[1:46:45] offer within the store.
[1:46:47] After discussion with uh the folks at
[1:46:50] the BIA and also hearing feedback at the
[1:46:53] mayor's office um abutters meeting, the
[1:46:56] applicant has agreed to limit the
[1:46:57] overall store footprint uh dedicated to
[1:47:00] the sale of alcohol to 20% of the store
[1:47:03] in order to address the concern that
[1:47:05] food um will not disappear as the
[1:47:08] neighborhood did indicate that the area
[1:47:10] is a bit of a food um desert in this
[1:47:12] location. Um as far as public need is
[1:47:15] concerned and in addition to the
[1:47:17] availability of the license, um we
[1:47:19] believe the board is in receipt of
[1:47:20] support letters from residents in the
[1:47:22] area, including from immediate abutters.
[1:47:24] Additionally, and again, the regular
[1:47:25] customers of the market are customers
[1:47:27] that walk uh to and work and live in the
[1:47:30] nearby vicinity. It really is a matter
[1:47:32] of convenience to better serve the
[1:47:33] immediate community.
[1:47:35] Um if the licensee is able to add
[1:47:37] product to the market and be competitive
[1:47:39] with other markets in the neighborhood
[1:47:41] as well. Again, they wouldn't be
[1:47:43] changing the overall nature of the
[1:47:44] business, which is a neighborhood
[1:47:46] market. Um the nearest liquor store and
[1:47:49] convenience store for that matter is uh
[1:47:51] down towards Oak Square, which is
[1:47:53] approximately a 15-minute walk from this
[1:47:55] location or nearly a quarter or half a
[1:47:57] mile away. Um so, there really is
[1:48:00] nothing to speak of in this area. While
[1:48:02] the the location of the store
[1:48:04] and that particular street along Tremont
[1:48:06] is um
[1:48:08] retail and businesses, it is
[1:48:10] in otherwise a residential area that um
[1:48:15] has residents behind them and the store.
[1:48:17] So, in keeping with the neighborhood
[1:48:20] convenience aspect cuz there's really no
[1:48:21] other offering in the store in the
[1:48:24] location, that's why the store would
[1:48:25] like to um bring on the license to have
[1:48:28] these offerings. And to create the
[1:48:31] one-stop shopping so that people don't
[1:48:33] have to travel down to Oak Square. It is
[1:48:35] indeed again an asset to the community.
[1:48:37] It's been a convenience store for
[1:48:39] uh almost half a century and serves a
[1:48:42] true community purpose and they're
[1:48:43] seeking to maintain that aspect of it.
[1:48:46] Connor, do you have anything you want to
[1:48:47] add? See if I can do this.
[1:48:49] Yes, thank you, Chairman.
[1:48:51] Uh we'd like to defer to the board uh
[1:48:52] the mayor's office of neighborhood
[1:48:53] services regarding the community
[1:48:55] process. Uh we did an abutters meeting
[1:48:57] back on April 14th.
[1:49:00] Uh there was one package store owner in
[1:49:02] attendance who expressed opposition
[1:49:04] questioning uh the public need. Uh the
[1:49:07] applicant then went on to meet with the
[1:49:08] Brighton Allston Improvement
[1:49:09] Association. You heard there were
[1:49:09] conversations over how much shelf space
[1:49:11] would be devoted uh to the sale of
[1:49:13] alcohol. Uh the applicant pledged there
[1:49:15] would be no more than 20% of of the
[1:49:17] existing shelving. And with that, the
[1:49:19] Brighton Allston Improvement Association
[1:49:21] was supportive of this proposal. That
[1:49:23] information will be forwarded to the
[1:49:24] board. Thank you.
[1:49:26] Thank you, Connor. Welcome back, Danny.
[1:49:28] I was able to go to the first member of
[1:49:30] the public.
[1:49:31] Thank you. I do appreciate that. My
[1:49:33] computer decided it needed to restart
[1:49:35] immediately with no warning. So,
[1:49:36] apologies. We are now logged in as
[1:49:39] Maria. So, there we go.
[1:49:41] Thank you, Connor. Are there any other
[1:49:42] individuals who would like to testify on
[1:49:44] this matter?
[1:49:48] Seeing none, then the board will take
[1:49:51] this under advisement as well. Thank you
[1:49:52] very much.
[1:49:53] Thank you.
[1:49:56] And finally, calling out number 32, JLI
[1:49:58] Family Corporation doing business as El
[1:50:00] Patron de los Tacos, located at 50
[1:50:02] Maverick Square in East Boston, has
[1:50:05] applied for a common victualer 7-day
[1:50:06] wines and malt beverages license to be
[1:50:08] exercised on the above 3,000 square foot
[1:50:11] restaurant occupying two floors with a
[1:50:12] basement. First floor includes nine
[1:50:14] patron seats, six bar seats, and a
[1:50:16] restroom. Second floor includes 30
[1:50:18] patron seats. The basement is used
[1:50:19] exclusively for storage, office space, a
[1:50:21] walk-in cooler, and food preparation
[1:50:23] area. Manager Kelly Orego, closing time
[1:50:25] 2:00 a.m. Who is present on behalf of
[1:50:28] the applicant?
[1:50:30] Good morning, Dawson Cooper from Upton,
[1:50:31] Canan, and Devlin. I'm here on behalf of
[1:50:33] JLI Family Corporation doing business as
[1:50:36] El Patron de los Tacos.
[1:50:38] I'm joined by the manager at the
[1:50:39] location, Kelly Orego.
[1:50:41] El Patron has applied for a Section 12
[1:50:44] wine and malt restaurant
[1:50:46] as an addition to its existing
[1:50:48] restaurant serving Mexican and Colombian
[1:50:50] fare.
[1:50:51] The applicant is seeking to add alcohol
[1:50:52] to its customary menu, meeting customer
[1:50:54] demand. Many patrons entering the
[1:50:57] restaurant have sought the beverages
[1:50:58] this license would allow the applicant
[1:50:59] to provide and expect those offerings in
[1:51:01] a restaurant like El Patron.
[1:51:04] Granting this license would allow a
[1:51:05] family business with a neighborhood
[1:51:06] roots to thrive and grow in Maverick
[1:51:08] Square and provide the area a new spot
[1:51:10] to grab tacos and empanada or similar
[1:51:12] fare and their favorite Mexican beers to
[1:51:14] go along with it,
[1:51:15] while also allowing the owner's vision
[1:51:17] to fully come to fruition.
[1:51:19] Walter Castaneda, the owner of El
[1:51:20] Patron, has a strong character in
[1:51:22] fitness, currently operating El Jardin
[1:51:24] at 15 Central Square, and is excited to
[1:51:27] bring the same level of quality and
[1:51:28] community focus to East Boston in
[1:51:30] building this new concept.
[1:51:32] With his experience operating El Jardin,
[1:51:34] Walter knows what it takes to run a
[1:51:35] restaurant safely and effectively and
[1:51:37] become a strong member of the community
[1:51:38] and a good neighbor. The manager, Kelly,
[1:51:41] is a United States citizen and a
[1:51:43] resident of Massachusetts. He has
[1:51:45] experience in the food and beverage
[1:51:46] industry, having worked in his family's
[1:51:47] restaurants for many years and as a
[1:51:49] server and bartender in other
[1:51:50] establishments as far back as 2008.
[1:51:53] With his experience, Kelly is
[1:51:54] knowledgeable in the rules and
[1:51:55] regulations of this board and the ABCC
[1:51:58] pertaining to the sale and service of
[1:51:59] alcohol.
[1:52:01] During the abutter's meeting that was
[1:52:02] held for this location, several
[1:52:03] community members expressed their
[1:52:04] support for Walter and this restaurant.
[1:52:07] With that, we're happy to answer any
[1:52:08] questions the board may have.
[1:52:11] Thank you, Attorney Cooper. Thank you
[1:52:13] for joining us, Mr. Orrego.
[1:52:15] At this point, I'd like
[1:52:17] Um Commissioner Saxon, do you have any
[1:52:19] questions?
[1:52:20] I do not. Thank you.
[1:52:24] Thank you. Are there any individuals who
[1:52:25] would like to testify on this matter,
[1:52:27] beginning with elected officials or
[1:52:29] their representatives?
[1:52:30] Yes, Madam Chair, members of the board.
[1:52:32] Connor Newman with the mayor's office
[1:52:33] and neighborhood services. This time,
[1:52:35] the mayor's office would defer to the
[1:52:36] judgment of this board. Some background
[1:52:38] information on the community process. We
[1:52:40] had hosted an abutter's meeting on April
[1:52:41] 14th, as well. Residents that were in
[1:52:43] attendance were either supportive of the
[1:52:45] proposal or did not have any serious
[1:52:47] concerns. The applicant was eventually
[1:52:49] directed to meet with the Maverick
[1:52:50] Central Neighborhood Association. We
[1:52:52] received this correspondence from
[1:52:54] Maverick Central
[1:52:55] that they are not in support of any
[1:52:57] liquor licenses at this time for any
[1:52:59] business.
[1:53:00] That concluded the community process.
[1:53:02] With that, I'll defer to the board.
[1:53:03] Thank you.
[1:53:06] Thank you very much. I see Gabriela from
[1:53:08] Councillor Cladas Zapata's office. May I
[1:53:09] please provide your testimony?
[1:53:11] Good morning, Madam Chair, members of
[1:53:12] the board. Gabriella here from
[1:53:14] Councillor Cladas Zapata's office. At
[1:53:16] this time Councillor would like to go on
[1:53:17] the record in support of this proposal.
[1:53:19] Thank you.
[1:53:20] Thank you very much. I also see Gladys
[1:53:22] Oliveros with a hand raised. You may
[1:53:23] please provide your testimony.
[1:53:25] Yes, thank you.
[1:53:27] I'm here to support
[1:53:29] this small business in East Boston and
[1:53:31] thank you.
[1:53:33] Thank you very much for that testimony.
[1:53:35] Emma Reyes from East Boston Main
[1:53:36] Streets, you may also please provide
[1:53:38] your testimony.
[1:53:39] Good morning, Emma Reyes with East
[1:53:40] Boston Main Streets here to provide our
[1:53:41] support for the vibrancy of Maverick
[1:53:43] Square.
[1:53:47] Thank you very much. Are there any other
[1:53:48] individuals who would like to testify on
[1:53:49] this matter?
[1:53:53] Seeing none, the board will take this
[1:53:54] under advisement as well. Thank you very
[1:53:56] much.
[1:53:57] Thank you.
[1:53:58] Those are all the items before the board
[1:53:59] this morning. The board is set to vote
[1:54:01] tomorrow. Rather than 10:00 a.m., the
[1:54:03] board will be voting at 12:00 noon
[1:54:05] tomorrow. Notice has been posted to the
[1:54:06] city's website.
[1:54:08] We will adjourn this hearing. Thank you
[1:54:09] all and enjoy the rest of your day.
[1:54:11] Thank you.