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Lowell Licensing Commission approves multiple business licenses, schedules hearing on Captain John’s transfer

2170513 · January 30, 2025

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Summary

At its Jan. 30 meeting the Lowell Licensing Commission unanimously approved one-day alcohol and common‑victualler licenses for several local businesses and set a Feb. 13 public hearing on the proposed transfer of an all‑alcohol restaurant license for Captain John’s.

The Lowell Licensing Commission on Jan. 30, 2025 approved a series of licenses for local events and businesses and scheduled a public hearing on a proposed transfer of an all‑alcohol restaurant license.

Commissioners voted unanimously, with four members present and one absentee, to grant applicants licenses ranging from one‑day event alcohol permits to a secondhand‑goods license for a video game store. The commission also set a public hearing for Feb. 13, 2025, to consider transferring an all‑alcohol restaurant license for 333 Westford Street.

The commission approved two one‑day alcohol and an amplified public‑entertainment permit for the Lowell Humane Society’s “Muddy Paws” 5K and block party, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including authorization to sell and dispense wine and malt beverages. The commission also approved a one‑day license to sell all alcoholic beverages for a “Pause for Celebration” event at the Lowell Humane Society, 951 Broadway St., on Sept. 19, 2025. Jonathan Northridge represented the Lowell Humane Society at the meeting.

Also approved were a common‑victualler (food service) license for Macho Eats, to operate at 341 Westford St., represented by Robert Ramirez and Araceli Santos; a common‑victualler license for Dorme Gado LLC doing business as Pizzelle Bakery, 201 Market St., represented by owner Shannon Narenberg; and a license to sell secondhand articles for Cartridge Cave, 122 Merrimack St., represented by Nicholas Wicker. Wicker told commissioners the shop will primarily buy and sell used video games and consoles, paying sellers cash or store credit.

The commission received an application by Hapirada Corporation (doing business as Captain John’s) from Ankit Krishna and noted that Ankit Patel was proposed as the license manager; commissioners voted to publish legal notice and hold a public hearing on the transfer on Feb. 13, 2025, at 6 p.m.

Motions to approve the one‑day and common‑victualler licenses were made by Commissioner Krieger (for several items) and Commissioner Tang (for the Pizzelle Bakery license), and were seconded by Commissioner Donahue or Commissioner Tang depending on the motion. For each license vote the commission called for vocal aye/aye responses, and the chair declared the motions carried. Commissioner Mercier was recorded as absent for the meeting.

The commission also noted that the certification of the city’s annual alcohol license renewals for 2025 was on commissioners’ desks and would be signed after the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Lowell Humane Society — one‑day license(s) and amplified outdoor public entertainment permit for Muddy Paws 5K and block party (April 26, 2025) and one‑day license for Pause for Celebration (Sept. 19, 2025). Applicant: Jonathan Northridge. Motion to approve: Commissioner Krieger; second: Commissioner Donahue. Vote: 4 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Outcome: approved.

- Macho Eats (DBA) — common‑victualler license for 341 Westford St. Applicants: Robert Ramirez and Araceli Santos. Motion to approve: Commissioner Donahue; second: Commissioner Krieger. Vote: 4 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Outcome: approved.

- Pizzelle Bakery (Dorme Gado LLC DBA Pizzelle Bakery) — common‑victualler license for 201 Market St. Applicant: Shannon Narenberg. Motion to approve: Commissioner Tang; second: Commissioner Donahue. Vote: 4 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Outcome: approved.

- Cartridge Cave — license to sell secondhand articles for 122 Merrimack St. Applicant: Nicholas Wicker. Motion to approve: Commissioner Krieger; second: Commissioner Tang. Vote: 4 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Outcome: approved.

- Captain John’s (Hapirada Corporation) — request to publish legal notice and hold public hearing on transfer of an all‑alcohol restaurant license for 333 Westford St., hearing set for Feb. 13, 2025, 6 p.m. Motion to schedule hearing: Commissioner Tang; second: Commissioner Donahue. Vote: 4 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Outcome: hearing scheduled.

Commissioner and applicant comments were brief and focused on event history, food offerings, premises rehabilitation after a fire (in one application), and clarifications that Cartridge Cave is not a pawnshop but a used video game store. Applicants expressing personal remarks (for example, anecdotes about participating in the Muddy Paws run) were included in the public presentation but did not affect commission action.

The commission did not take further regulatory action at the meeting and adjourned after approving the items on the agenda.