Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Meeting Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Worcester License Commission approves one-day permits, several transfers and postpones others; summary of votes
Summary
At its July 24 meeting the Worcester License Commission approved multiple one-day liquor and entertainment permits, several corporate changes, and postponed a set of license transfer and package-store items to August 7. The commission also scheduled status and violation hearings for several establishments.
The Worcester License Commission on Thursday, July 24 approved a number of one-day liquor and entertainment permits, accepted several changes to officers or ownership for local businesses and postponed several applications to its Aug. 7 meeting.
Why it matters: The commission’s routine approvals enable upcoming public events and business openings. Postponements and status hearings leave several transfer and package-store requests unresolved and schedule follow-up enforcement and paperwork checks.
What the commission acted on
- WICN Public Radio (30 Federal St.): Approved a one-day liquor license for Jazz Plus Live on Aug. 22 (expected attendance ~700). Applicant: Melanie LaBeouf, executive director of WICN Public Radio. Security: Hanover Theatre staff and ambassadors; porta-potties provided. Sergeant Thomas Needham reported no issues.
- Ecotarium (222 Harrington Way): Approved a one-day liquor and entertainment license for a dance-a-thon fundraiser on Aug. 17 (03:30–04:30 p.m.), expected ~100 attendees. Applicant: Caitlin Williams, event coordinator.
- We Cocktails (30 Elm St.): Approved a one-day liquor license for Aug. 28 (serving primarily Prosecco to ~50 people). Applicant/bartender: Alexander Garfinkel.
- Annual Gospel Fest (Worcester Common): Approved one-day entertainment license for a bouncy house on July 26 (1 p.m.–8 p.m.). City Hall bathrooms to be open; site support confirmed by inspectional staff.
- The Bambi Place (649 Chandler St.): Approved a common victualler/vehicle request for regular daytime hours; applicant described serving Vietnamese sandwiches, spring rolls and coffee.
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe (11 Tobias Bolin Way): Approved restaurant malt and wine license; applicant: Deepita (franchise operator).
- K and B 168 Restaurant Group Inc. (401 Park Ave., Wan Wang): Approved change of officers and directors (corporate reorganization submitted by attorney Dave Shablin).
- Veggantes (55 Pearl St.): Approved change of manager (Bernice Jenny Lopez Collazo).
- MassBay Brewing (55 Millbrook St., formerly Greater Good Brewing Co./Harpoon): Approved transfer of farmer brewing permit and related common-victim license following a change of ownership; staff and hours to remain the same. Representative: John Ethier.
- Model Group Inc. (42 Park Ave.): Approved change of ownership for a restaurant (takeout Japanese food); applicant: Dawn Lu.
- Miscellaneous housekeeping: Minutes of the prior meeting were approved and multiple one-day entertainment applications were either approved, held to the end of the meeting, or postponed as noted below.
What the commission postponed to Aug. 7, 2025
- Friday Night Skate on the Common (455 Main St.) — request for entertainment license (dancing/live music/DJ) — held to Aug. 7.
- Pleasant Street Block Party (Holly St.) — one-day entertainment license — postponed to Aug. 7.
- Zebra Foods (333 Pleasant St.) — package store and restaurant malt & wine license requests — postponed to Aug. 7.
- Greendale Discount Liquors (444 W. Wilson St.) — transfer of package-store malt & wine license and collateral pledge of inventory — postponed to Aug. 7.
- Brown Square Civic Club (639 Franklin St.) — change of officers and directors — postponed to Aug. 7.
Enforcement and status items scheduled or continued
- Jolo Inc. (350 Selkirk St., Hurricane Betty’s): Motion made to bring the matter in for a violation hearing due to outstanding change-of-officers paperwork and lack of appearance; matter continued to enforcement process.
- Teresa / dessert bar (181 Shrewsbury St.): Status hearing continued; applicant (Kwame Bonsu) said transfer paperwork, building updates (including required sprinklers) and financing remain outstanding. The commission required submission of a transfer application and set next status for Aug. 7.
- Clock Beer and Wine Store (22 Front St.): A violation hearing related to alleged violations of commission rules (posting of required warning signs and required server training) was held; the commission found sufficient evidence that violations occurred and continued enforcement to a hearing on Aug. 7 and ordered the store remain closed until that hearing. (See separate coverage.)
Votes at the meeting were recorded on individual motions; for many routine one-day requests the commission recorded unanimous local approval and noted no police objections. Where votes were recorded on the transcript, the motions carried or were postponed as listed above.
Ending note: Several items that require paperwork updates or additional state-level action (ABCC/Secretary of the Commonwealth filings) were continued to the Aug. 7 meeting. Applicants were repeatedly reminded that final state approval (ABCC) and required permits (building, fire) remain their responsibility.
