Licensing Commission OKs one‑day alcohol permits for arts, campus and community fundraisers

The Lowell Licensing Commission on Aug. 28 approved multiple one-day licenses to sell alcoholic beverages at cultural, campus and community events scheduled this fall. Approved licenses include event receptions at the Arts League of Lowell (various September dates), a UMass Lowell pre-law mock-trial reception on Sept. 25, 2025, and a Wessler House 200th-anniversary gala on Sept. 6, 2025. The commission also approved a one-day license for Navigation Brewing Company to serve malt beverages at a 5K music race on Sept. 7, 2025; Commissioner PJ Mercier recused himself from that item. Steve Severson of the Arts League requested correctional one-day licenses for five show receptions; the commission approved those events by voice vote. Elizabeth Lopez, representing Aramark at UMass Lowell, described the Sept. 25 event as a small reception tied to a pre-law mock trial; the commission approved that one-day license. Sarah Bogosian, president and executive director of the Wessler House Museum of Art, said the gala was a fundraising event marking the historic house’s 200th anniversary. Bogosian said she expected about 200 attendees, that bartending would be handled through Lindsay’s Catering and that bartenders were certified; the commission approved the one-day all-alcohol license for the gala. Navigation Brewing’s PJ Mercier told the commission the company planned to serve beer to runners after the race; Mercier recused himself from deliberations on that application. Commissioners approved the Navigation Brewing license contingent on the race organizer securing a street permit, and noted the organizer is responsible for obtaining any necessary street closures. Why it matters: the approvals permit alcohol service at several community and campus events that draw residents downtown and on university property; the Navigation Brewing approval included a recusal and was conditioned on appropriate permits for the race route. Details: the meeting record shows voice-vote approvals; no detailed roll-call tallies were recorded in the public transcript. Organizers were reminded to secure and present any required street permits and to finalize event staffing with certified bartenders.