Holyoke License Commission approves F & M Hideaway transfer, one‑day permits and a bundle of renewals

The Holyoke License Commission voted to approve several liquor‑related transfers, one‑day permits and renewals, including the transfer of an on‑premises license for F & M Hideaway Inc., 224B Westfield Road, and a change of officers filing for Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews at 27 Holyoke Street.

The transfer of the F & M Hideaway on‑premises license followed a public hearing. Frank Caruso, appearing on behalf of F & M, said the business plans a full renovation of the former Shimerhorn/Pizzeria Uno site and intends to upgrade from a beer‑and‑wine license to a full‑service alcohol license. Vito Adimarinas was identified in the meeting as the manager of record; Caruso said he is the sole owner of the corporation and of the property. Caruso told the commission the business will relocate the existing wine‑and‑malt license out of the building before reopening if the transfer is approved. The board voted to approve the transfer by voice vote; the record does not state a numerical tally.

The commission also accepted the filing that updates officers and directors for Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews; staff said the change reflects a Secretary of State filing and that nothing operational is changing. The board approved that administrative item by voice vote.

The commission approved several one‑day and temporary licenses tied to upcoming community events. Highlights included: Hamill’s Creative Catering catering the Sneaker Peak dinner at the Greater Holyoke YMCA on Saturday, March 1 (5:30–8:30 p.m.), where staff estimated 150–200 attendees and two crowd managers will be on duty; St. Jerome Church’s annual Irish night at 340 Chestnut Street (insurance and fee payment were required as a condition of approval); a St. Patrick’s Parade‑linked event at the Holyoke Merry‑Go‑Round (the parade committee requested alcohol service for a short, family‑oriented event); and multiple temporary open‑air vendors and concessions for the road race and parade weekend (the board directed a 3:30 p.m. cutoff for downtown vendors on road‑race day to clear the street as organizers requested).

The board approved a temporary permit for Abandoned Building Brewery to sell beer during the Sun Project Road Race; staff noted vendors on the parade/road‑race route will be required to comply with the road‑race cutoff time. The Department of Public Works will assign vendor locations on the route for downtown events, staff said.

Renewals and other administrative matters cleared by the commission included Camille’s Cafe (116 High Street) common‑victualler and entertainment license renewals, motor vehicle class renewals for Supreme Automobile LLC (243 Elm Street) and Holyoke Motors (263 Hampden Street; the board approved but the physical license will be issued only when the business is ready to open), and several annual and temporary open‑air vendor permits.

The commission also noted that a transfer for the Walk Off Club previously listed on the December agenda had been finalized by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) and is now under new ownership; the board received that update as information.

Votes at a glance

- Transfer: F & M Hideaway Inc., 224B Westfield Road — approved (voice vote; exact tally not specified). Motion to approve the transfer followed a hearing; approval contingent on relocating the existing wine‑and‑malt license prior to reopening. - Change of officers: Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews, 27 Holyoke Street — approved (voice vote); staff noted the Secretary of State filing. - One‑day license: Hamill’s Creative Catering at Greater Holyoke YMCA (Sneaker Peak dinner, Mar. 1, 5:30–8:30 p.m., est. 150–200 attendees) — approved (voice vote); security/crowd managers required. - One‑day license: St. Jerome Church Irish night, 340 Chestnut Street — approved contingent on insurance and fee payment. - Temporary open‑air permits and concessions for St. Patrick’s Parade and road race (multiple vendors, including Abandoned Building Brewery) — approved (voice votes); downtown vendors on road‑race day subject to 3:30 p.m. cutoff. - Renewals: Camille’s Cafe (common‑victualler and entertainment) — approved (voice vote). - Motor vehicle renewals: Supreme Automobile LLC (243 Elm St.) and Holyoke Motors (263 Hampden St.; license held until business ready) — approved (voice votes). - Administrative update: Walk Off Club transfer approved by ABCC — noted by staff.

The board’s approvals were generally voice votes with no roll‑call tallies recorded in the transcript. Several actions were approved contingent on submission of insurance certificates and payment of fees, and staff repeatedly reminded applicants to complete state ABCC paperwork where required.