Lynn City licensing commission approves multiple license transfers and one-day permits; motion to suspend Tula Flava not seconded

The Lynn City Licensing Commission on an unspecified date approved a series of alcohol license transfers, one-day event permits and routine renewals while declining to act on an immediate suspension of Tula Flava’s entertainment license after the licensee failed to appear at a hearing.

Commission members approved one-day event permits for a Lunar New Year festival at the Lynn Museum on Feb. 8 (11 a.m.–4 p.m., expected attendance about 100, free admission) and two live-music events at 25 Exchange Street on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15, according to meeting records. The commission also approved multiple transfer applications that involve changes in ownership or stock interests for retail and restaurant liquor licenses.

Why this matters: Liquor-license transfers and one-day permits determine which businesses may sell alcohol and host public events in Lynn; renewals and approvals affect neighborhood businesses and public-safety oversight. The commission’s procedural decisions can also trigger inspections or conditions tied to public-safety reports.

Most important actions and outcomes - One-day event permits: The commission approved three one-day licenses covering the Lynn Museum Lunar New Year Festival (Feb. 8) and live-music events at 25 Exchange Street on Feb. 14–15 (applicants listed in the record). Outcome: approved. - Transfer: Tejeda Restaurant Group, doing business as Waco Buffet (recent purchaser of El Pacifico, 23 Central Ave.), submitted a transfer application for an alcohol-restaurant license. The application was presented by an attorney for the applicant, who said fees and paperwork had been submitted and that the applicant believes it is in compliance. The commission voted to approve the transfer. Outcome: approved. - Stock/ownership transfers: The commission approved a change of ownership interest for Eknath LLC (a 50% LLC member interest transferred to a family member; stated that manager Janelle Patel will remain in place). Outcome: approved. - Stock transfer: Archer of Arts Corporation (doing business as Enjoy Liquors) reported an internal stock gift that would make Ashok Kumar Patel the 90% owner, with Jay Patel and Herschel Patel holding 5% each; the commission approved the transfer. Outcome: approved. - Transfer: Ayesha Corporation (operating as Liquor & Food Market at 53 Unit Street) by Harsha Patel was approved. Outcome: approved. - Suspension of entertainment license for Tula Flava (Tula Fuego): A commissioner moved to suspend the entertainment license because no representative attended the hearing; the motion was not seconded and therefore did not proceed. Outcome: no action (motion not seconded). - Police reports and enforcement follow-up: The commission agreed to place police reports on the Feb. agenda and to invite Captain Chris Kelly or a police representative to present. Outcome: direction to put police reports on the Feb. agenda (motion passed). - Common victualler and entertainment renewals: The commission approved the list of common victualler and entertainment renewals submitted for the current renewal cycle. Outcome: approved.

Discussion and procedure Commission leadership read applications and witnesses or counsel presented on behalf of applicants. For several stock-transfer matters the presenters said operations, hours and floor plans would remain unchanged while ownership shares shifted among family members. For the Tejeda application the presenter said required fees and paperwork had been submitted and asked for approval so the file could move forward with regulatory bodies.

A motion to suspend Tula Flava’s entertainment license was raised after the licensee did not appear for the hearing; a commissioner explicitly proposed suspension until the Feb. meeting but the motion failed for lack of a second, so the commission took no suspension action at that time. Separately, commissioners directed staff to include police reports on the Feb. agenda and to request a police presentation at that meeting.

Votes at a glance - Minutes, Dec. 12, 2024: motion to approve — outcome: approved (record shows affirmative votes were recorded). - One-day licenses (Lynn Museum Lunar New Year; live music at 25 Exchange Street Feb. 14–15): motion to approve — outcome: approved. - Transfer to Tejeda Restaurant Group (El Pacifico, 23 Central Ave.): motion to approve — outcome: approved. - Eknath LLC change of ownership interest (50% transfer): motion to approve — outcome: approved. - Archer of Arts Corporation stock transfer (ownership percentages changed): motion to approve — outcome: approved. - Ayesha Corporation (Liquor & Food Market, 53 Unit Street): motion to approve — outcome: approved. - Motion to suspend Tula Flava entertainment license (for nonappearance): motion introduced; not seconded — outcome: no action. - Move police reports and invite Captain Kelly for Feb. meeting: motion to place on Feb. agenda — outcome: approved. - Common victualler and entertainment renewals: motion to approve list — outcome: approved.

What the record does and does not show The commission record documents motions, seconding where recorded, and affirmative votes for multiple license transfers, one-day permits and renewals. The meeting transcript records statements by attorneys representing applicants and by commission members about procedural compliance; it does not show a finalized suspension action against Tula Flava because the suspension motion was not seconded. The transcript also records the commission’s direction that police reports be discussed at the Feb. meeting.

Next steps Transfer approvals will proceed through the standard administrative processing for license transfers and renewals. The commission asked staff to place police reports on the Feb. agenda and to request a police representative to attend. Any licensee failing to appear at a future hearing could face renewed suspension action or other enforcement depending on subsequent motions and votes.