New Nantucket Performing Arts Center cleared for live entertainment; can use one‑day pours while pursuing full liquor license

The Select Board on May 12 approved a new annual live entertainment license for the group that purchased the former White Heron Theatre and plans to operate it as the Nantucket Performing Arts Center.

Amy (Staff member) said the previous theatre owner had surrendered the former liquor license and that the new organization must apply for a full, annual liquor license as a new license. Because a new full license can take several months to be processed by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, staff recommended establishing the venue’s live‑entertainment and place‑of‑assembly status now and allowing the group to apply for one‑day pouring permits for events this season.

Bob Doran (founding board member) told the board the group received keys to the facility about a month earlier and plans to open in late June or early July with productions similar to the prior operation. Amy cautioned that “when you apply for a full liquor license…you’re not allowed to have any one‑day pouring or special events during that time period. That can be a 3 to 4 month time period depending on the ABCC.” Staff therefore recommended applying for one‑day pours in the interim.

The board moved to approve the entertainment license; the motion passed by roll call. Staff and the applicants said they would complete required inspections and proceed with tentative event plans for the season while coordinating any full‑license application in the off season.

Next steps: licensing will schedule inspections and the new Performing Arts Center may submit one‑day pouring applications for events this summer while it pursues a full liquor license in the off season.