Woburn license commission gives Sunrise Cafe 30 days to fix closure issues or face revocation hearing

The Woburn City License Commission on Tuesday told Sunrise Cafe LLC, d/b/a The Restaurant at 487 Main Street, that it must complete outstanding paperwork and building sign-off within 30 days or the commission will hold a public hearing to consider revoking its Section 12 all‑alcohol on‑premises license.

Chairman Tommy Skeffington opened the show‑cause proceeding after the commission received notice that Sunrise had ceased conducting licensed business as of Feb. 27, 2025, an action the commission said may violate Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 138, related to alcohol licenses. Legal counsel for Sunrise, Chaz Fisher, and his colleague Lazarus Esquidis told the panel the business has been closed while interior repainting, floor work and equipment repairs proceed and that contractors have delayed reopening. Fisher said a manager, Peter Memakis, ran operations for the company but is now working elsewhere and that the company planned to file a change of manager form with the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) on Monday.

Fisher also told the commission he had secured quotes for insurance and workers' compensation but was awaiting final paperwork. He said one workers' compensation quote returned at about $36,000 per year compared with the previous policy of about $12,000. Commissioners and city staff noted Sunrise had not pulled permits for any construction and that a signage submission had been denied by the city. Captain Murphy of the Woburn Police Department and clerk Gooden Vincent were present for the hearing and earlier had walked the premises with inspectors.

After discussion about the company’s delays and the risk of an unlawful ‘‘pocket license’’ under state law, the commission voted to require Sunrise to submit all outstanding applications, obtain building‑inspector sign‑off on any work and complete required filings for manager changes and insurance by the commission’s next meeting, roughly 30 days away. Chairman Skeffington warned: "we will be holding a hearing in 30 days, for the revocation of your license, a public hearing, if everything's not done." The motion passed by recorded voice vote with two members in favor and one absent; commissioners who voted in favor were recorded as present and supportive by the clerk.

The commission allowed Sunrise to remain on the license register during the compliance period. Commissioners said the measure was intended to resolve the situation without immediate revocation but that the commission would proceed to a public hearing if the requirements were not met by the stated deadline.

Sunrise representatives said they planned to file the ABCC change‑of‑manager paperwork the coming Monday and to continue finishing interior work, equipment repairs and deliveries; Fisher apologized for the delays and indicated he would provide updated documentation to clerk Gooden Vincent when available.

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