Licensing board moves to approve AF Cafe’s common victualler license pending fire inspection

The Lawrence City Licensing Board moved to approve AF Cafe Inc.’s application for a common victualler license for a storefront at 127 Haverhill Street, contingent on a final inspection by the fire department.

The license application was presented by Franklin Garcia, who said he and a family member are opening the new cafe. “We are new into the cafe business,” Garcia said. He told the board the family has prior experience running two hookah shops and that his cousin and family members have food-service experience.

Commissioner Laird said she was familiar with the area and “hope[d] that the fire department inspected it and everything’s up to par.” Antonio, an inspectional-services staff member, confirmed inspections were in progress: Inspector Kissel had approved one inspection visit and the food inspection was approved that day; the final remaining step was the fire department walkthrough. Antonio advised the applicants to coordinate with him once barriers and other preparations were in place so the city could schedule inspections by Inspectional Services, the fire department and police.

Board leadership made a motion to approve the common victualler license contingent on fire-department approval. The transcript records the motion being made but does not record a formal second or recorded vote in the meeting minutes provided.

Because the board’s conditional approval depends on the fire department’s walkthrough, the license will not be final until that inspection is completed and any required corrections are addressed.