Northampton Licensing Commission approves new Chipotle license, multiple short-term liquor permits and other routine renewals

The Northampton Licensing Commission on March 19 voted to approve a series of license applications and renewals, including a new common victuals license for Chipotle Mexican Grill, a change of DBA for a Florence café, short-term liquor permits for veterans and campaign events, an automatic-amusement device permit and several seasonal renewals pending receipt of required documents.

The approvals were made by unanimous roll-call votes of the three commissioners present — Natasha Yakovlev, Jennifer Ewers and Amy Cahillane — after staff and applicants described each request on the Zoom meeting.

The approvals included:

- A new common victuals license for Chipotle Mexican Grill of Colorado, LLC (DBA Chipotle Mexican Grill, license #5523). Applicant David Leland, identified as Chipotle’s real estate manager, told the commission the restaurant expects to open in early May and that all paperwork had been submitted. The commission approved the application by motion and unanimous vote.

- A change of DBA on a common victuals license for ZenFrog LLC to operate as SIP 413 at 90 Maple Street in Florence. Applicant Emma Basil said the change was simply a new DBA; the commission approved the request by unanimous vote.

- Short-term liquor licenses: the commission approved two short-term all-alcohol permits for the Michael F. Curtin VFW Post 8006 — an outdoor VFW district picnic (May 3) and a Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association event (May 10) — with conditions discussed about tents and building permits. Tom Pease, director of the VFW, described tent plans and crowd-management measures. Building Commissioner Kevin Ross advised that tents require a building permit and that tents enclosed more than 50% may trigger exit signage and emergency lighting requirements; the VFW said it would not enclose more than 50% and would pull permits as needed. The commission approved the two-event package by unanimous vote.

- A short-term wine-and-malt permit for a campaign kickoff for the Committee to Elect Lori Loisel (April 8, ClickWorkspace, Market Street). Chelsea Cline represented the campaign; commissioners approved the request unanimously.

- A short-term wine-and-malt permit for the International Language Institute of Massachusetts’ fundraiser ("Giving Voice," April 30, Center for the Arts, 33 Holly Street). Laura Evely represented the institute; commissioners approved the request unanimously.

- A new automatic-amusement-device license for Drawing Board Brewing Company LLC (36 Main Street, Florence) for a single claw machine. Casey Aubrey of Lucky Duck Vending said the company already operates machines in Northampton; the commission approved the license unanimously.

- Approval, pending receipt of required documents, of 2025–26 seasonal liquor-license renewals for a set of entities listed on the agenda, including Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden Agricultural Society properties, Tai Tai Restaurant (Sang Tawan Inc.), Pines Theater (Look Memorial Park Inc.), Cafe Balagan LLC and Scotties Golf (Deerbrook Associates LLC). The commission moved and unanimously approved the pending renewals.

- A request to rescind a previously approved short-term liquor license for Glow Studio LLC (Glow Beauty Bar, 40 Main Street, Florence) for an event scheduled March 25 was granted; staff said the applicant notified the office before the event and no alcohol was served.

Motions, seconds and roll-call confirmations were recorded on the meeting transcript for each item. Several approvals included staff and building‑department conditions (for example, building permits and inspections for tents).

Votes at a glance

- Chipotle Mexican Grill (new common victuals license, item 3): motion to approve (mover not specified in transcript); second not specified in transcript; Natasha Yakovlev — Yes; Jennifer Ewers — Yes; Amy Cahillane — Yes; outcome: approved.

- ZenFrog LLC DBA SIP 413 (change of DBA, item 4): motion to approve (mover not specified); second not specified; Yakovlev — Yes; Ewers — Yes; Cahillane — Yes; outcome: approved.

- Michael F. Curtin VFW Post 8006 (two short-term all-alcohol licenses for May 3 and May 10, item 5): motion to approve (mover not specified); second not specified; Yakovlev — Yes; Ewers — Yes; Cahillane — Yes; outcome: approved. Building-permit and tent-inspection requirements discussed.

- Committee to Elect Lori Loisel (short-term wine-and-malt license, April 8, item 6): motion to approve (mover not specified); second not specified; Yakovlev — Yes; Ewers — Yes; Cahillane — Yes; outcome: approved.

- International Language Institute of Massachusetts (short-term wine-and-malt license, April 30, item 7): motion to approve (mover not specified); second not specified; Yakovlev — Yes; Ewers — Yes; Cahillane — Yes; outcome: approved.

- Drawing Board Brewing Company LLC (automatic amusement device license, item 8): motion to approve (mover not specified); second not specified; Yakovlev — Yes; Ewers — Yes; Cahillane — Yes; outcome: approved.

- Seasonal liquor-license renewals for 2025–26 (item 12): motion to approve pending receipt of documents; Yakovlev — Yes; Ewers — Yes; Cahillane — Yes; outcome: approved pending documentation.

- Glow Studio LLC (request to rescind a previously approved short-term liquor license, item 13): motion to approve rescission (mover not specified); second not specified; Yakovlev — Yes; Ewers — Yes; Cahillane — Yes; outcome: rescinded at the applicant’s request.

What commissioners and staff said

Commissioners repeatedly asked staff practical questions (for example, about tent size and building-permit triggers). Building Commissioner Kevin Ross told the group that tents enclosed more than 50% of their area would trigger requirements such as exit signs and emergency lighting; applicants said they would avoid enclosing more than 50% and would pull permits and schedule inspections. Several applicants noted venue familiarity: the International Language Institute said this was their third event at the Center for the Arts and that all paperwork had been submitted.

The meeting concluded after the commission approved minutes from the Feb. 19 meeting and adjourned.

Ending

Most approvals were routine and unanimous; staff will follow up on required permits and outstanding paperwork. The commission deferred several policy-level items to further discussion at a future meeting.