The Lawrence Licensing Board on Jan. 8 approved a series of routine licensing actions affecting local businesses, including a common victualer license for an indoor science museum/café and an increase in vehicle capacity for a used-car dealer, and tabled one item to its Jan. 22 meeting.

Board members approved the license for Ashima Shah to operate an indoor science museum and café at an address given in the record as 354 (Merrimack/Merryman) Street. Shah told the board, “I'm opening an indoor science museum slash cafe for parents and kids.” Commissioner Laird moved to approve the application; Commissioner Morales seconded. Commissioners recorded votes of yes by Commissioner Lea and Commissioner Morales; the motion passed.

The board also approved an expansion request for Enterprise, Inc., which does business as Burlington Motors at 284 South Broadway, to increase the number of vehicles licensed on site. Applicant Zach Fahey said the requested expansion covers an adjacent lot and described separate front- and back-lot capacities; the record shows a front capacity of 36 vehicles and a back area described as 46 vehicles. Fahey asked the board to increase the total to 82, but the board approved an overall capacity of 80 vehicles. Commissioner Morales moved to approve the increase; Commissioner Lea seconded. Commissioners recorded votes of yes by Commissioner Lea and Commissioner Morales; the motion passed.

The board accepted a formal withdrawal of a previously filed Attica (Attica Nightclub) change-of-manager application, which the applicant said the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) required. The applicant told the board that “it's been required by the ABCC that we formally withdraw the previous application” to proceed with a new filing. A motion to approve the withdrawal passed with recorded yes votes by Commissioner Lea and Commissioner Morales.

The board returned the city alcohol license to the owner of Beacon Hill Wine & Spirits and Gourmet after the prospective sale of that business fell through. The owner told the board the buyer “breached the day prior to the closing” and said she would keep the license and the business. The board approved returning the license; recorded yes votes were cast by Commissioner Lea and Commissioner Morales.

One agenda item — the owner of Alto Plaza seeking reinstatement of a license for a business at that property — was tabled to the Jan. 22, 2025 meeting after the applicant was not present.

Votes at a glance: 1) Approval of Dec. 19 minutes — motion approved (yes: Commissioner Lea; yes: Commissioner Morales). 2) Common victualer license for Ashima Shah, 354 Merrimack/Merryman Street — approved (yes: Commissioner Lea; yes: Commissioner Morales). 3) Increase vehicle capacity for Enterprise, Inc. d/b/a Burlington Motors, 284 South Broadway — approved for 80 vehicles (requested 82; yes: Commissioner Lea; yes: Commissioner Morales). 4) Table Alto Plaza license item to Jan. 22, 2025 — tabled (yes: Commissioner Lea; yes: Commissioner Morales). 5) Approve withdrawal of Attica change-of-manager application (per ABCC requirement) — approved (yes: Commissioner Lea; yes: Commissioner Morales). 6) Return license to Beacon Hill Wine & Spirits and Gourmet after sale fell through — approved (yes: Commissioner Lea; yes: Commissioner Morales).

Board staff and public-safety representatives said they had no outstanding concerns. Captain Patrick Delaney told the board the fire department inspected Burlington Motors' site and that access for emergency apparatus would be maintained. Officer Abel Cano and Director Pat Ruiz voiced no objections to the applications they reviewed.

The board announced a special meeting later in the week and confirmed its next regular meeting for Jan. 22, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.