Lowell Licensing Commission approves multiple liquor and event permits, sets hearing for a license relocation

The Lowell Licensing Commission on Jan. 2 approved several liquor-license and event-permit requests, including a conditional transfer for Captain John’s restaurant, and scheduled a separate hearing for a proposed license relocation on Jan. 16.

The commission approved a transfer of the all-alcoholic-beverages restaurant license for 333 Westford St. to Krish Narada Inc., contingent on receipt of a federal employer identification number. Attorney Michael Zaym, representing the buyer group, told the commission the applicant has applied to the IRS and expected the EIN within days; the commission’s vote authorized the transfer subject to the licensee providing that number to staff. Commissioner Lisa Mercier moved the conditional approval, and Commissioner Tang seconded; the motion carried with no recorded opposition and one commissioner absent.

The commission also approved amendments to the liquor license for Warp and Weft LLC at Market Street that correct ownership records used by the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC). Attorney Michael Zaym explained the filings are a paperwork correction so the ABCC’s records show the same ownership trail the city has on file. The commission voted to approve the application unanimously among members present.

Patik Patel, appearing at the meeting for SAPT LLC doing business as Lowell Liquors, told the commission he is taking over ownership of the business under a divorce agreement. "I'm taking over the ownership of Lowell Liquors," Patel said. The commission approved the change of ownership for the package-store license for the premises at 638 Rogers St. with no public opposition recorded.

A request to alter the interior of Daria Inc.’s package-store premises (Store 38) at 6 Laurel St. — described by the applicant, Sohil Patel, as removing a wall to combine two spaces — was approved after brief discussion. Commissioner Krieger asked why the abutter-notification list provided to the commission included the Bartlett School but not LeBlanc School; Secretary Peyer said the assessor’s office provided the certified abutters list the city used, and a member of the public, Nitin Patel, suggested LeBlanc’s exclusion may reflect the school’s alternate use and on-site security. The alteration was approved with no recorded opposition.

The commission granted a seasonal special-events permit requested by the City of Lowell Cultural and Special Events office to allow amplified outdoor public entertainment at JFK Plaza (listed on the agenda at 50 Arkan Drive). The commission also approved two one-day licenses for Amanda Atinga to sell wine and malt beverages at the Hellenic Center, 41 Broadway St., for Jan. 18 and March 1, 2025, both from 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

A public hearing for an application by Asados Donaflor Inc. for a new all-alcoholic-beverages restaurant license at 197 High St. was continued because the proposed license manager, Marina Martinez, was not present. The commission rescheduled that item for the Jan. 16 hearing. The commission also voted to schedule a public hearing on Jan. 16 to consider a requested change of location for Relax Salem LLC (doing business as Zach Shack) to 450 Chelmsford St.; legal notice will be published in the local newspaper.

Votes at a glance - Seasonal amplified outdoor events permit for JFK Plaza (City of Lowell Cultural and Special Events): approved; mover not specified in record; unanimous among members present; 1 absent. - Two one-day wine/malt licenses for Amanda Atinga at Hellenic Center (Jan. 18 and March 1, 2025, 7 p.m.–1:30 a.m.): approved; motion by Commissioner Krieger, seconded by Commissioner Tang; unanimous among members present; 1 absent. - Change of ownership — SAPT LLC (Lowell Liquors), 638 Rogers St.: approved; motion by Commissioner Mercier, seconded by Commissioner Krieger; applicant Patik Patel told the commission he is taking ownership per a divorce agreement; unanimous among members present; 1 absent. - Alteration of premises — Daria Inc. (Store 38), 6 Laurel St.: approved after discussion about abutter notice; motion by Commissioner Krieger, seconded by Commissioner Tang; unanimous among members present; 1 absent. - Amendments to license ownership records — Warp and Weft LLC (Market St.): approved to correct ABCC records; motion by Commissioner Mercier, seconded by Commissioner Krieger; unanimous among members present; 1 absent. - Transfer of Captain John’s license — Krish Narada Inc., 333 Westford St.: approved subject to receipt of EIN; motion by Commissioner Mercier, seconded by Commissioner Tang; unanimous among members present contingent on applicant providing EIN; 1 absent. - Request to change location — Relax Salem LLC (Zach Shack) to 450 Chelmsford St.: public hearing scheduled for Jan. 16, 2025 at 6 p.m.; motion to schedule by Commissioner Krieger, seconded by Commissioner Tang; unanimous among members present; 1 absent. - New license application — Asados Donaflor Inc., 197 High St. (manager Marina Martinez): continued/rescheduled to Jan. 16 because the manager was not present.

The commission held a short meeting and handled the agenda items primarily by roll-call motions and public-hearing openings; no contested votes or formal opposition were recorded on the actions taken. The next Licensing Commission hearing is set for Jan. 16, 2025, when the commission will revisit the Asados Donaflor application and hold the scheduled hearing on Relax Salem’s proposed relocation.