Northampton Licensing Commission approves series of short‑term, transfer and entertainment licenses

The Northampton City Licensing Commission approved a slate of license applications and transfers June 18, issuing short‑term liquor permits, entertainment licenses and a change‑of‑location for a package store, and granting a common victualler permit that will allow a new frozen‑dessert shop to open in downtown Northampton.

Commissioners voted, by recorded roll call, to approve: - A short‑term wine and malt license with a fee waiver for the Northampton Center for the Arts event at 33 Holly Street on Aug. 8, 2025. - An all‑alcohol short‑term license for the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival at Look Memorial Park on July 19, 2025. Peter Langmore, festival representative, said the festival expects “as many” piping groups as last year and noted, “We're selling mead this year for the first time.” He told commissioners the event last year drew roughly 6,000–7,000 attendees and donated $43,000 to two nonprofits. - A license for Cameron’s Winery LLC to sell at the Three County Fair at 54 Fair Street on Aug. 29–Sept. 1, 2025; Leslie Cameron said the business will offer about 16 wines and also currently offers beer from its Backroom Brewing Company. - A change of location for Oxbow Wines LLC (d/b/a Provisions) to move its annual package store license from 30 Crafts Ave. to 150 Main St., Suite 10; applicant Andrew Bruce McCamous said he did not anticipate major operational changes at the new address. - A common victualler (common victualler/common victualer) license for NoHo Go Berry and Cream LLC (d/b/a Go Berry and Cream) at 207 Main St.; the applicant, Aaron, told the commission he aimed for a late June or early July opening. - An entertainment license and temporary extension of premises for Eastside Grill’s 40th‑anniversary event on Sept. 25, 2025. Deborah Flynn described plans for a large tent and outdoor grilling and told the commission, “the tent is gonna be, like, 40 by 80,” and that the restaurant would hire a police officer for the event. - A short‑term wine and malt license for a memorial jazz concert honoring George A.K. Jr. on July 19, 2025; Marjorie Kaye, representing the estate, said organizers expected about 80 attendees and that the event would be an afternoon concert with friends and family participating. - A transfer of the annual wine and malt restaurant license for Thai Northampton, Inc. (d/b/a Thai Garden) to a new corporate entity; Attorney Peter Irvine, representing the applicant, said the change was a family succession and that operations would continue under the Thai Garden name. - An entertainment license for Grand Amarr Hospitality Inc. (d/b/a Fitzwillis and Toasted Owl) for indoor live music with amplification; staff noted Fitzwillis qualifies for an exemption from an entertainment response system requirement because the establishment was in operation before February 2007 under the building code guidance discussed.

All motions on the listed items were approved by unanimous roll call of the three commissioners present. Several approvals included standard conditions and reminders: city staff told Thai Garden the applicant must also apply for a common victualler (common victualer) license at the July agenda, and applicants for temporary outdoor events were reminded to meet public‑safety and sanitation requirements.

Commissioners thanked applicants and offered brief operational guidance on payments and processing; city staff (Annie Lesko) said she would process online payments and send notifications to applicants after the commission’s approvals.