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Lowell Licensing Commission approves three liquor licenses, schedules hearing for Highland Liquors relocation
Summary
At its Jan. 16 meeting the Lowell Licensing Commission approved a one-day wine permit for the Arts League, a food-service license for Infuse Afro Fusion and a full-liquor restaurant license for 197 High Street; a relocation hearing for Highland Liquors was scheduled for Feb. 13, 2025; an application by Relax Salem LLC was postponed.
The Lowell Licensing Commission on Jan. 16 approved three license applications and scheduled a public hearing for a package-store relocation.
The commission unanimously approved acceptance of the Jan. 2, 2025 meeting minutes and then voted to grant: (1) a one-day license to sell dispensed wines only for an Arts League of Lowell reception at 307 Market Street, Jan. 18, 2025, from 3 to 5 p.m.; (2) a food-service (common victualler) license for Infuse Afro Fusion at 11 Kearny Square; and (3) an all-alcoholic-beverages restaurant license for premises at 197 High Street. The commission also announced that a pending application by Relax Salem LLC was postponed until the applicant resubmits, and it set a public hearing Feb. 13, 2025, at 6 p.m. for Cajal Corporation, doing business as Highland Liquors, to consider a change of location to 509 Market Street.
Why it matters: Licensing decisions affect which businesses may sell alcohol and when, influence downtown hospitality offerings and trigger public-notice and hearing requirements for relocations.
Most significant actions
The commission approved a one-day dispensed-wine license for an Arts League reception at 307 Market Street on Jan. 18, 2025, from 3 to 5 p.m. Steve Severson, the applicant, told the commission the show drew about 70 entries. The motion to approve was moved and seconded by commissioners as recorded by the board and carried without objection.
The commission granted a food-service license for Buona Slapto, LLC, operating as Infuse Afro Fusion at 11 Kearny Square. Applicant Mona Slopiro described the menu as a mix of African and Caribbean staples. The motion to approve carried without objection.
The commission approved a new all-alcoholic-beverages restaurant license for 197 High Street for applicant Marina Martinez. Martinez said she bought the restaurant about a year ago and that offering alcoholic beverages would help attract customers; she also said she has TIPS certification. Following the public-hearing portion, the motion to approve carried without objection and Martinez was told the application had been approved by the board.
Other items
The commission announced that the public hearing for an application by Relax Salem LLC would be postponed until the applicant resubmits the application. The commission also voted to publish legal notice and hold a public hearing on Feb. 13, 2025, at 6 p.m. regarding Cajal Corporation (doing business as Highland Liquors) and its proposed change of location for an all-alcoholic-beverages package store license to 509 Market Street.
The meeting closed after the commission moved and carried a motion to adjourn.
Quotes
"We have a massive amount of art this time. We had 70 people enter this show," applicant Steve Severson said of the Arts League exhibition.
"It's a small family restaurant in 197 High Street... I just bought the restaurant, like, just spent a year ago in July," applicant Marina Martinez said when describing her application for an all-alcohol license.
Meeting process and votes
All motions described at the meeting were presented, seconded and carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition; the commission noted five members present at roll call.
Ending
The commission handled routine licensing business and scheduling in a meeting that lasted under 10 minutes; the Highland Liquors relocation hearing remains set for Feb. 13, 2025, at 6 p.m. as the only upcoming licensing agenda item announced during the session.
