Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Alcohol Licensing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Licensing commissioners limit late-night alcohol sales at Rancho Las Papusas to weekends
Summary
The Chelsea Licensing Commission approved extended alcohol service hours for Rancho Las Papusas at 36 Second Street, allowing sales until 1 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday only; Sunday–Wednesday will remain 11 p.m.
The Chelsea Licensing Commission voted to allow Rancho Las Papusas, Inc., d/b/a Rancho Las Papusas at 36 Second Street, to extend its beer-and-wine service to 1 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights while keeping Sunday through Wednesday closing at 11 p.m.
The change was considered at a public hearing where the applicant’s representative said the establishment has operated “without incident” since the license transfer about 11 months ago and asked to extend hours. Mark White, representing Rancho Las Papusas, said the earlier transfer and a family death delayed full operation but that the business has been operating consistently since the transfer.
The commission cited neighborhood concerns about loitering and noise in the residential area around Second Street. Sergeant Chung of the Chelsea Police Department said the location is “still in a very much so residential area” and warned that later closing can lead to post‑closing congregation and loitering; he asked the applicant to maintain security and to be a “good neighbor.” Chung also thanked the establishment for assisting police with camera footage following an April 2 incident: “I didn’t wanna just throw a bunch of heat at you and not give you flowers and kudos where it matters.”
Chair Marnie McAlpine and fellow commissioners noted past problems at the applicant’s former Washington Avenue location and said they would not normally permit 1 a.m. closing every night in a residential neighborhood. After discussion, Commissioner Emily Cherniak moved to grant extended hours until 1 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, with Sunday through Wednesday closing at 11 p.m.; Commissioner Enio Lopez seconded the motion. The commission approved the motion by voice vote.
The commission requested that the applicant provide certified return receipts for abutters to licensing clerk Naomi Libron and to maintain or reinstate security measures (including clearly marked security staff shirts) when later hours are used. A CORI check on the applicant was reported as clear during the hearing.
The commission’s action modifies the prior time restriction placed on the license after the transfer and includes the operational expectations noted by police.
