Quincy commissioners approve three local business license transfers, including new Roots and Roast café

The City of Quincy Board of Commissioners approved three local business license applications during a March 20 meeting, clearing a new café, a change in ownership at an auto-repair business and a liquor-license transfer that includes a bank pledge.

Chair Christoph opened the meeting and the board granted: a common victualler license for Roots and Roast LLC at 1545 Hancock Street; a garage repair and motor-2 license for M and L Auto Group Inc. doing business as Premier Auto Sales at 251 Water Street following a change in ownership; and a transfer of an off-premise package store wine and malt-beverage license for Elm Ave Corp. doing business as West Elm Variety at 139 West Elm Ave., including a pledge of the license and inventory to Rockland Trust Company.

The actions were taken by voice vote with the board responding “Aye.” The meeting record shows no roll-call tallies tied to individual commissioners for these motions.

Roots and Roast: rebrand of former Pastryland, plans for local suppliers

Robert Amazini, the proposed manager for Roots and Roast LLC, told the board the location is a rebranding of the existing nearby store formerly known as Pastryland. “The rebranding is to kinda like, the theme of it, Roots and Roast, is gonna be, offering premium coffee, good food, comfortable place to hang out. We wanna use local suppliers as much as possible,” Amazini said. He said the tentative hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and that most bakery operations will remain the same while supplier relationships may change.

When asked about hosting small events such as live music or amateur comedy outside normal hours, board members advised Amazini that he could expand the licensed hours so he would not need to return each time, and to coordinate any extended hours or entertainment licensing with Sue in licensing staff. Inspector McNoso was scheduled to check the premises before Amazini left the hearing to confirm required food-service compliance.

Premier Auto Sales: ownership change, no operational changes

Zuki Mai, the proposed manager for M and L Auto Group Inc., said the change represents new ownership of Premier Auto Sales but “no change in operations.” The application lists hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The board approved the garage repair and motor-2 license transfer for the premise at 251 Water Street.

West Elm Variety: license transfer and pledge to Rockland Trust

Attorney John Ayeda appeared for Elm Ave Corp and said Tejas Patel is the sole officer, director and shareholder and will be the proposed manager on the license. Ayeda told the board the operation will remain turnkey and largely unchanged, and that Patel has industry experience, including a recent license held in Lynn. The application notes the premises is a single-story retail business of approximately 1,200 square feet. The request included a pledge of the license and inventory as collateral for a loan from Rockland Trust Company; Ayeda said that pledge is part of the acquisition financing. The board approved the transfer and the pledge.

Minutes accepted; meeting adjourned

The board also voted to accept the minutes from a March 11 hearing and then adjourned. No contested or denied license applications were recorded in the meeting minutes provided.

Votes at a glance

- Roots and Roast LLC — common victualler license for 1545 Hancock Street; proposed manager Robert Amazini; hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; outcome: approved (voice vote, board said “Aye”).

- M and L Auto Group Inc. d/b/a Premier Auto Sales — garage repair and motor-2 license for 251 Water Street; proposed manager Zuki Mai; hours 8 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday; outcome: approved (voice vote, board said “Aye”).

- Elm Ave Corp. d/b/a West Elm Variety — transfer of off-premise package store wine and malt-beverage license for 139 West Elm Ave.; proposed manager Tejas Patel; premises ~1,200 sq ft; includes pledge of license and inventory to Rockland Trust Company; outcome: approved (voice vote, board said “Aye”).