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Board approves Casa Bar and Grill license while clerk checks liquor commingling with Saint John's Club
Summary
The Fall River board approved a common victualler license for Casa Bar and Grill at 1365 Rodman Street but asked the clerk to verify whether the restaurant's plan to have Saint John's Club provide and control liquor on the premises complies with state ABCC rules and local practice.
The Fall River City Licensing Board voted to approve a common victualler license for Casa Bar and Grill at 1365 Rodman Street on the condition that city staff confirm how alcohol sales will be handled where Saint John's Club retains the liquor license and the restaurant would serve food.
Applicant Omar Sheikhar and his wife Samah Bass described hours and the planned relationship with the Saint John's Club, which intends to retain and operate the liquor license for the premises. Board members and commenters raised questions about liability, tax handling and whether servers in the restaurant would require separate training and oversight when serving alcohol.
"We do have insurance. We're covered for $2,000,000, just in case we get any suit," Omar Sheikhar said on the record when asked about liability coverage for the operation. The board also heard concerns from an attendee who identified themselves as an attorney and warned that if the restaurant's servers were the ones serving intoxicated patrons, the restaurant could be held liable even if the liquor license belonged to Saint John's Club.
Board chair Greg Brilliant instructed the clerk, Carrie, to contact the Alcohol and Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) and to verify the legality and any required agreement that would permit Saint John's Club to provide liquor while another business operates the dining area. The board explicitly allowed the restaurant to open for food service while that verification was pending and approved the license "subject to clarification from Carrie in regards to the liquor." The motion carried by voice vote; no roll‑call tally is recorded in the transcript.
The board emphasized it would follow up with the ABCC and that the Clark/Clerk would report back to clarify whether the arrangement — described in the hearing as the club retaining the liquor license while the restaurant handles food service and takes cash for food — requires a formal separate agreement or separate staffing for liquor service.
