Portsmouth council approves one-year trial for Graphic Coffee to serve alcohol on expanded outdoor patio

The Portsmouth Town Council on Sept. 9 approved a request by Graphic Coffee, at 2005 East Main Road, to expand its liquor service to a 20-by-30 outdoor patio area on the east side of the building, granting the request as a one-year trial through Oct. 31, 2026, with conditions attached.

The trial will be overseen by town staff and the council said it expects visible delineation of the path from the interior door to the patio, posting of signage and that the owner make agreed physical improvements before unrestricted operation. Council members and the owner discussed hours and supervision; the owner said current alcohol service is limited and not intended to turn the café into a bar.

Neighbors spoke during the public hearing. Kelly Lemur, a resident of Cager Lane behind Graphic Coffee, told the council she opposed having outdoor alcohol service because her street is family-oriented and she worried about noise, police calls and people leaving while intoxicated. The owner, Joshua (Josh) Whalen, said he is a Portsmouth resident, operates the business, usually offers limited weekend liquor service and does not plan late-night events; he told the council the café closes by about 8:30 p.m. on nights it serves alcohol.

Council members asked about fencing and the proposed route patrons would use to go from the interior to the patio. Whalen said the patio is largely enclosed by a retaining wall but one roughly 10-foot gap from an exit door to the patio remains; he said he submitted a plan to create a marked pathway with planters, posts and rope so alcohol sold inside would only be carried outside through that route. The council made the approval contingent on completion of that delineation; the owner agreed to post signage and to work with planning staff, and council members said failure to comply would reopen the matter.

Council President (name on file) noted the council could impose additional conditions — such as restricting days of outdoor service — but also observed that other outdoor licenses in town are not limited to specific days. The council approved the request unanimously, 7–0, and recorded the trial end date as Oct. 31, 2026.

The council also noted it could consider making the expansion permanent after the trial if no problems emerged. Whalen and neighbors were asked to stay in contact with town staff and to document completed improvements.