Fall River licensing board approves routine permits, tables one alteration and places deadline on unpaid alarm fees

The Fall River City Licensing Board on Friday approved a series of one‑day liquor permits, common‑victualer licenses and other routine items while tabling one alteration-of-premises request and placing a payment deadline on an outstanding municipal bill.

Chairman Greg Brown opened the meeting by noting the board had only two voting members present, meaning votes required unanimity. “Because we only have a 2 member board, all votes tonight have to be unanimous,” he said.

Why it matters: The board’s decisions authorize restaurants, clubs and event organizers to serve alcohol at upcoming civic and private events and confirm new or renewed operating permissions for several businesses. Two items drew extra scrutiny: an alteration‑of‑premises application for La Carquista Lounge LLC, which the board tabled, and Mass Pleasant Chicken LLC, which the board approved on condition that outstanding alarm fees be paid by April 25.

Key approvals and motions - One‑day liquor permits: The board approved one‑day permits for Saint Anthony of the Desert Church (May 3; Aug. 8–10; Oct. 18, 2025), Santa Cecilia/Philharmonic (July 26–27, 2025), BCC event at 777 Ellsbury Street (April 25, 2025), BMC Durfee Alumni Association (June 28, 2025), Troy City Brewing (multiple dates), Primo Hospitality Solutions (May 29, July 30, Aug. 14, 2025), Taste of Paradise (April 18, 2025) and several food‑truck festival dates submitted by event operators. Motions were made and seconded; roll calls were recorded as unanimous.

- Common‑victualer and other licenses: The board granted common‑victualer licenses or approvals for Popeye’s (Mass Pleasant Chicken LLC pending conditions described below), Rogers Coney Island (Rogers Fall River Inc.), Almax Diner (change of hours approved), Gathering Grounds Cafe (MP Hospitality Company LLC), and others. Class‑2 auto sales approval was granted to Fall River Auto Sales LLC for a 12‑car lot at 435 Durfee Street.

- Tabled item: The board took item 5 (alteration of premises for La Carquista Lounge LLC, 27 South Main Street) out of order at an applicant’s request and then voted to table the matter while the applicant resolves outstanding building‑department issues.

Notable discussion and conditions - Mass Pleasant Chicken LLC (Popeye’s), 933 Pleasant St.: The police department had asked the board to deny the common‑victualer license because the restaurant owed alarm bills to the city. The applicant said ownership had changed years earlier and that staff were trying to resolve billing. An accounts‑payable summary shown during the meeting highlighted $900 on one page but the clerk said additional pages exist and that the full amount was larger. The board voted to grant the license on the condition that all outstanding alarm bills be paid by Friday, April 25, 2025; if payment was not made the board said the business would be shut down. The board also directed the applicant to coordinate directly with city accounts payable or the clerk to confirm payment.

- Taste of Paradise, 1335–1345 Pleasant St.: Applicants seeking a common‑victualer license and a separate one‑day permit for an April 18 fundraiser described a change in ownership earlier in November. The board approved the common‑victualer license and approved the one‑day liquor permit for April 18, with board members emphasizing that no entertainment was allowed for that date (the board said last‑minute entertainment could create violations) and that alcohol purchased for the event must be cleared from the premises afterwards. The board noted a 2 a.m. maximum for one‑day permits and discussed applicant preference for a 6 p.m.–1 a.m. operating window; the meeting record includes both the board’s reference to a 2 a.m. limit and the applicant’s request for 6 p.m.–1 a.m.

Votes at a glance (selected items) - Motion to table: La Carquista Lounge LLC — outcome: tabled (motion made and seconded) - Saint Anthony of the Desert Church — one‑day permit (May 3; Aug. 8–10; Oct. 18, 2025) — outcome: approved (unanimous) - Santa Cecilia Philharmonic/Saint Cecilia band club — one‑day permits (July 26–27, 2025) — outcome: approved (unanimous) - BCC (777 Ellsbury St.) — one‑day permit (April 25, 2025) — outcome: approved (unanimous) - BMC Durfee Alumni Association — one‑day permit (June 28, 2025) — outcome: approved (unanimous) - Troy City Brewing — multiple one‑day permits (various dates) — outcome: approved (unanimous) - Primo Hospitality Solutions — one‑day permits (May 29; July 30; Aug. 14, 2025) — outcome: approved (unanimous) - Taste of Paradise — common‑victualer license and one‑day permit (April 18, 2025) — outcome: both approved; board restricted entertainment for the April 18 date and emphasized clearing alcohol after the event - Mass Pleasant Chicken LLC (Popeye’s) — common‑victualer license — outcome: approved pending payment of outstanding alarm bills by April 25, 2025 - Rogers Coney Island (Rogers Fall River Inc.) — common‑victualer license — outcome: approved (unanimous) - Almax Diner — change of hours approved (board approved opening on Tuesdays and adjusting hours) — outcome: approved (unanimous) - Gathering Grounds Cafes (MP Hospitality Company LLC) — common‑victualer license approved — outcome: approved (unanimous) - Fall River Auto Sales LLC — class‑2 auto sales license for 435 Durfee St. (12 cars) — outcome: approved (unanimous) - Seasonal and entertainment licenses for multiple Ferry Street/Pier businesses (Bodge LLC/Tipsy Siegel, MBL Group/Pier 52, etc.) — outcome: approved (unanimous)

What’s next: The board asked applicants with outstanding city charges to work directly with city accounts payable or the clerk (Keri) and warned that failure to meet payment deadlines would result in enforcement, including potential immediate shutdown. Most approvals were routine and unanimous; applicants whose items were tabled or conditioned must return with corrected paperwork or proof of payment.

Meeting context: Chair Greg Brown opened the meeting and reminded attendees of City Charter Section 9‑18 (public comment policy). The session featured many scheduled applicants and brief staff and board exchanges. Most items were resolved by motion and unanimous vote.