Commission seeks records on manager-of-records for Top Shelf locations; matter continued to June 11

Springfield licensing staff and commissioners on May 20 agreed to continue a review of manager-of-record listings for multiple adjacent establishments operating under the Top Shelf/Faces building on Chestnut Street after the meeting record showed inconsistent manager names across licenses.

Carlos Melendez attended the hearing and identified himself as manager of record for 240 Chestnut; staff records reviewed in the meeting, however, listed Milka Ramos as manager of record for one of the Top Shelf licenses. Attorney Paul (participant) and license representatives said a change of manager was processed about five years earlier when the operation moved from Wonderland to Top Shelf, but the licensing office’s current online record still lists the older name for one license.

Commission counsel said they would research the administrative record, verify whether manager changes were properly recorded and confirm whether multiple licenses at the single building require separate managers of record. The commission continued the clarification matter for 240 Chestnut Street (Top Shelf 1), Top Shelf 2 (238 Chestnut Street) and Faces Grill Bar Lounge (234 Chestnut Street) to the June 11, 2025 meeting.

The board asked counsel to coordinate with licensing staff and, if there is an unprocessed manager change, to reach out to the owner’s attorney to correct records. Commissioners explained that the city has historically had cases of adjacent licenses with overlapping operational areas and said counsel should confirm the legal requirements for manager-of-record assignments and whether an administrative misfiling needs correction.

No disciplinary action was taken; the item was continued to allow staff time to audit records and return with a recommendation at the next hearing.