Committee forwards favorable recommendation for Casa Benfica special permit at 34 Beetle Street

The New Bedford City Committee on Appointments and Briefings on Aug. 21 voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the full City Council for a special permit allowing Casa Benfica to operate a members' club at 34 Beetle Street.

The permit application, filed in July 2025 in the name of Jose Barbosa and Derek Mendez doing business as Casa Benfica, was the subject of a public hearing before the committee. Attorney John Williams told the committee the building at 34 Beetle Street previously housed the Central Lusso American Club and that the location has held a club license for many years. "That location's had a club license for for quite a long period of time... they've had no problem," Williams said.

Applicant Derek Mendez described the proposal as a continuation of member-focused operations at a larger location. "We're going from a member's club to a member's club... it's very family," Mendez said, adding the group plans buffets and family-style events on Fridays and to rent the hall occasionally to the general public on Saturday nights. Mendez said the facility's kitchen had passed inspection. "Everything by the books," he said.

A building department official identified as Matt told the committee the building is "pretty much all set" for reuse as a club, provided the new operators maintain the building in the same manner as the previous club.

Attorney Gerritowski (appearing for the city) explained the zoning process that requires city council approval. Gerritowski said committee approval would allow the applicants to pursue building permits but that he was not certain about any statutory appeal period and said he would check whether an appeal window applies.

Committee members moved through three formal steps on the item: they received and opened the public hearing, later closed it, and then voted to send a favorable recommendation to the full City Council. The committee voted by voice for each motion; no opposition was recorded in the committee transcript. The item will appear on an upcoming full City Council agenda in September for final action.

Clarifying details recorded in the hearing include that the application was received in July 2025, the applicants are identified as Jose Barbosa and Derek Mendez doing business as Casa Benfica, and the building was described as the former Central Lusso American Club. The applicants said they intend to operate a members' club with occasional public rentals and to operate the on-site kitchen for events.