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Northampton Licensing Commission approves transfer of Fitzwilly's Toasted Owl liquor license to Grand Amor Hospitality
Summary
The Northampton Licensing Commission unanimously approved the transfer of an annual all‑alcohol restaurant license for Fitzwilly's Toasted Owl to Grand Amor Hospitality Inc., with Christine Casagrande named as proposed manager of record.
The Northampton Licensing Commission on May 5 approved the transfer of an annual all‑alcohol restaurant license for Fitzwilly's Toasted Owl to Grand Amor Hospitality Inc., and accepted Christine Casagrande as the proposed manager of record.
At a special meeting held by Zoom, attorney Josh Goldstein of the Bacon Wilson law firm said Grand Amor Hospitality is under agreement to purchase the assets used in connection with Fitzwilly's Toasted Owl at 23 Main Street and intends to keep the restaurant’s theme, managers and staff. Goldstein introduced Christine and James Casagrande and Jeffrey and Jennifer Marney as the new ownership group and said the Casagrandes will be actively involved in management while the Marnes will be silent partners. "We respectfully request that the licensed commission approve this transfer application," Goldstein said.
The commission heard that Christine Casagrande would shift her managerial focus from the Northampton Country Club to Fitzwilly's and would be on the licensed premises at least 40 hours a week if the transfer were approved. Goldstein noted that the Casagrandes have held and operated an on‑premise all‑alcohol license at the Northampton Country Club since 2016 and that they have not had a liquor license violation there in nearly 10 years.
Commissioners asked only clarifying questions about whether the two establishments currently share a manager; Goldstein said they did. Commissioner Jennifer Ewers praised the succession plan, and Chair Natasha Yakovlev publicly thanked the outgoing owner, Fred, for his years of leadership downtown.
The commission first opened and closed the public hearing for the application with no members of the public offering comment. Commissioner Jennifer Ewers made the motion to approve the transfer; Chair Natasha Yakovlev seconded. The commission voted unanimously in favor: Natasha Yakovlev — yes; Jennifer Ewers — yes; Amy Kaelin — yes. The action formally approves the transfer and appoints Christine Casagrande as manager of record.
No ordinances, statutes or other legal authorities were cited during the discussion. The commission did not attach conditions to the approval in the meeting record and did not request additional follow‑up reporting.
