Commission conditionally approves Liquor Point DBA and full-liquor off-premise license pending zoning approval

The Chelsea Licensing Commission on Jan. 9 voted to approve a change of DBA to Liquor Point and a change in license classification from wine-and-malt off-premise to an all-alcohol off-premise license for Canadian Liquors Inc., which operates at 469 Eastern Ave. The commission’s approval is contingent on the Chelsea Zoning Board granting the required change in the occupancy permit or special permit to allow the sale of liquor at that location.

Attorney Matthew Porter and Sarinda Seni, who Porter identified as president, treasurer, secretary and the current license manager, told the commission the business has operated at the location since 2015 and has had no prior licensing violations recorded with the city or the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC). Porter said the proposed new DBA, Liquor Point, would better signal the expanded product mix available under an all-alcohol license.

Commissioners and licensing staff identified a zoning constraint: the property’s occupancy permit and zoning classification list the location as a “variety store” or convenience-type use that previously was allowed only to sell beer and wine. As Commissioner Mike McAteer explained, Chelsea’s zoning rules generally prohibit convenience stores from selling full liquor; the change to a full-alcohol off-premise license therefore requires a special permit or zoning-board approval to change the occupancy/use designation.

Porter asked the commission to advance the license application while the applicant pursues the zoning step. The commission discussed processing timelines with the applicant: the ABCC review can take roughly two months, and local zoning approvals also require a separate filing. Commissioners indicated they could grant the license contingent on zoning approval so that state and local processes can proceed in parallel.

Sergeant Chung of the Chelsea Police Department reported the department’s call-log review showed three calls in 2024 for the address and referenced a disturbance earlier in the year that led to an arrest; he also said police had previously requested surveillance footage and that store staff had been unable to promptly provide it at that time. Chung reminded the business that licensees must maintain 30 days of rolling camera footage and provide requested footage within 72 hours to support investigations.

After discussion, the commission moved and seconded a motion to approve the change of DBA to Liquor Point and the upgrade to an all-alcohol off-premise license for Canadian Liquors Inc., contingent on zoning board approval of the occupancy/use permit; the motion passed on a voice vote.

Licensing staff will forward the decision to the ABCC and the applicant must obtain the zoning special permit before the full-liquor classification becomes effective. The commission also recorded the police department’s requirements regarding surveillance retention and prompt production of footage in the license conditions.