Norwood Select Board denies all‑alcohol license for arcade; 3‑2 vote cites public‑good and control concerns

The Norwood Select Board voted 3–2 on July 8 to deny an application for an all‑alcohol on‑premises liquor license for an entertainment arcade located in a former tannery complex off Washington Street.

Attorney Dennis Quilty, representing the applicant, and Christopher Kronen, the proposed manager, said the arcade has operated at the site since 2023, has hosted dozens of one‑day licensed events without reported incidents and would not serve alcohol before noon on any day. The applicant said food would be available from a local restaurant, 18 Pizza, and that bartenders would be TIPS/TIP‑certified. The applicant’s written materials and testimony described the requested license as a general on‑premises (all‑alcohol) license and listed hours and operating plans; the applicant said it would accept conditions limiting where alcohol could be consumed.

Board members who voted to deny cited three categories of concern: the statutory classifications for on‑premises all‑alcohol licenses under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 138/140, the arcade’s physical layout and control of an outdoor area, and the site’s proximity to residential condominiums and children’s play areas. Select Board members who voted to deny said the application, as submitted, did not demonstrate the public convenience and need required for issuing an all‑alcohol license at that location.

At the hearing, the applicant said the arcade’s operating footprint for this application was roughly 3,700–3,800 square feet (the applicants and board referenced different earlier filings with larger figures), that alcohol service would be bar/counter service with one bartender for typical events, and that patrons would be carded at the bar and (if licensed) the business would deploy ID‑scanners. The applicant also described a wristband system to identify adults who could be served and said staff would patrol to enforce restrictions. The owner of 18 Pizza, who said he supplies on‑site food, said orders are called in and delivered by his staff to events.

Speakers at the hearing — including several condominium residents who live near the arcade — urged the board to deny a full all‑alcohol license because of pedestrian and parking patterns at the end of the lane, the presence of many children in nearby open spaces, and uncertainty about whether the applicant controls the outdoor courtyard cited in the application. Multiple residents said they supported the arcade as a daytime family destination but opposed a full liquor license at the site.

Several board members proposed conditional options that would address some concerns: limiting alcohol consumption to a secured back room, restricting outdoor service, or offering a beer‑and‑wine license instead of full spirits. The applicants said they would accept restrictions, or would consider withdrawing the all‑alcohol request and reapplying for beer and wine, but the board’s majority determined the current application did not meet the licensing standards for an all‑alcohol license at this site.

Motion and vote: Select Board member Sam Saad (mover) made a motion to deny; the motion was seconded by Select Board member Mike Plasco. The board voted 3 in favor of denial and 2 opposed; the chair directed staff to update the denial letter to record the board’s findings for the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC). The clerk will transmit the board’s resolution and reasons to the ABCC as required.

The hearing record includes letters of support the applicant submitted and numerous public comments opposing the all‑alcohol application. The board noted the ABCC had previously returned an earlier application for clarity; the board said its denial is recorded with stated reasons should the applicant seek further review or to reapply.

Votes at a glance: The board also earlier considered, separately, a motion to approve an all‑alcohol license for a different applicant (Euro and Kabob House); that motion failed 2–3 earlier in the meeting (motion to approve failed). The arcade denial is the board’s final action on the arcade’s application for an all‑alcohol license at this meeting.

What’s next: The applicant may appeal to the ABCC or reapply with a different license type or with revised, more restrictive conditions. The board directed staff to check availability of beer‑and‑wine licenses and to advise on procedural next steps.