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Lawrence Licensing Board approves manager change, conditions new liquor license and grants dealer 90-day extension
Summary
At its March 19 meeting the Lawrence Licensing Board approved a change of manager at a Island Street bar, granted a conditional liquor and common victualler license for a Union Street restaurant, tabled two incident-report items, and gave Essex Motors a 90-day extension to find a location.
The Lawrence Licensing Board on March 19, 2024, approved a change of manager for a liquor license at 56 Island Street, granted a conditional new liquor and common victualler license for a restaurant at 170 South Union Street, tabled two license-related incident items and gave Essex Motors a 90-day extension to secure a new location, the board recorded.
The actions follow board discussion about enforcement, local rules and the need for licensees to meet with police and licensing staff before licenses are issued or reactivated. The board also voted to summon holders of wholesale licenses tied to a former 49 Blanchett Street location to appear at a subsequent meeting.
Michelle Ruby and Peter Daniels appeared to request a change of manager and a one‑year change of manager arrangement for the business identified in the application at 56 Island Street. Michelle Ruby identified herself as an owner and said Peter Daniels would be the on-site manager. Commissioner Morales moved to approve the manager change and Commissioner Lea seconded; both commissioners voted yes and the motion passed. The board clerk said the decision would be forwarded to the AVCC for final processing.
At 170 South Union Street, applicants identified as Giovanni Gerarmo and Jose Luis (surname variously recorded as Martinez/Elijo in the record) applied for a new liquor and common victualler license for the Atlantico restaurant. Commissioner Laird said he would move to approve the new license only after the applicants met with police and licensing staff to review local rules; Captain Cirillo recommended a sit-down with police to “go over the rules and regulations” so the new operators understood how to run the business. The board made approval conditional on that meeting and on coordination with licensing staff; the motion passed with recorded yes votes from Commissioners Morales and Lea.
Two agenda items—appearances related to Aqua Lounge at 151 Essex Street and Namaste at 206 Lawrence Street—were tabled to the board's April 9 meeting at 5:30 p.m. The board announced the tabling during the meeting and the motion to table received recorded yes votes from Commissioners Morales and Lea.
Reynolds Pierre, representing Essex Motors (the dealer license formerly associated with 631 Essex Street), told the board his family business lost its property after a change in ownership of the site and he has been looking for a suitable new location. The board said it cannot approve a dealer license without a location and zoning approval, but voted to extend Pierre's dealer license for 90 days so he can continue searching and then return with a location and zoning approvals. Commissioner Morales made the motion to grant 90 days and Commissioner Lea seconded; both recorded votes were yes.
Separately, the board approved a motion to summon all businesses that hold wholesale licenses (including those formerly tied to 49 Blanchett Street) to appear at the next meeting so the board can verify locations and compliance. That motion was seconded by Commissioner Morales and carried on recorded votes.
The board closed the meeting by scheduling the next regular meeting for April 9 at 5:30 p.m.
Votes at a glance: 1) Approve change of manager at 56 Island Street (Michelle Ruby → Peter Daniels) — Motion passed (Recorded yes: Commissioner Morales, Commissioner Lea). 2) Approve new liquor and common victualler license for Atlantico, 170 South Union Street — Approved with condition that applicants meet with police and licensing staff first (Recorded yes: Commissioner Morales, Commissioner Lea). 3) Table Aqua Lounge (151 Essex Street) and Namaste (206 Lawrence Street) to April 9, 5:30 p.m. — Motion passed (Recorded yes: Commissioner Morales, Commissioner Lea). 4) Grant Essex Motors a 90‑day extension to find a licensed location — Motion passed (Recorded yes: Commissioner Morales, Commissioner Lea). 5) Summon wholesale-license holders (including those formerly at 49 Blanchett Street) to next meeting — Motion passed (Recorded yes: Commissioner Morales).
