The City of Springfield Liquor License Commission on July 23 continued consideration of an application by Antojos Corp., doing business as Antojos Springfield, for an all-alcohol on-premise license at 263 Hancock Street.

The request was continued to the commission’s Aug. 13 meeting to allow more neighborhood input after the Old Hill Neighborhood Council submitted a July 22 letter denying support and a public commenter raised safety and parking concerns. Attorney Josh Goldstein presented the application; proposed manager Inolfo Estrella and other owners were present.

Goldstein told the commission that Antojos opened March 31 as a small restaurant selling frozen desserts and beverages and wants to offer alcoholic beverages incorporated into those items. He said the manager and staff will be TIP- or ServSafe-certified and the business will validate IDs with a scanner. Goldstein also noted the planning board recommended approval with conditions that hours remain as proposed and that no exterior advertising for alcohol be used. He said: “As such, we respectfully request that the licensed commission approve this application.”

The Old Hill Neighborhood Council’s July 22 letter, read into the record by Commissioner Kate, said the council reviewed the application with residents and business owners and “determined this to not be feasible” and therefore denied support. The letter lists several elected officials and community groups it said oppose the application and was signed by Barbara Gresham, board president. Margaret Foster Franklin, a commenter, said she was “totally against” allowing alcohol to leave the premises and questioned available parking and proximity to a nearby school.

Goldstein and Estrella described the proposal as a limited operation: about 1,428 square feet, 15-person occupancy, 9 a.m.–11 p.m. hours daily, no exterior advertising, and procedures to check IDs. Goldstein reminded the commission that, under a state change effective May 1, 2024, on-premise licensees may sell mixed drinks for off-premises consumption under specified conditions; he said Antojos would comply with the limits described in that law (sealed container, food purchase required, 64-ounce limit, transport in trunk or non‑passenger area).

Commissioners said the application raised new questions for them and noted at least one neighborhood representative could not attend the hearing because City Hall doors were locked; commissioners favored allowing additional public comment. A motion to continue the matter to Aug. 13 carried unanimously (Commissioner Kane, Commissioner D’Angelo Antonio, Commissioner Ramirez, Commissioner Espinosa all voted yes).

The continued hearing gives the applicant time to gather supporters and the neighborhood an opportunity to present additional concerns or evidence to the commission.