Tiverton council adopts Class C retailer category, limits initial licenses to two

The Tiverton Town Council voted unanimously to amend chapter 6 of the Tiverton Code of Ordinances to add a Class C alcoholic‑beverage retail license category, with a cap of two licenses initially. Council members opened a public hearing on the amendment and moved to adopt it after brief discussion.

The change was prompted by an application from a local bookstore that sought permission to host events and serve wine and beer. Council members and staff discussed the license’s likely limits: Class C operations were described in the hearing as similar to a bar without a full kitchen and therefore restricted to selling prepackaged food or items brought in from another licensed kitchen.

“Class C is a bar,” said Miss Smith during the hearing, a clarification cited in the council’s discussion. Members said starting with two licenses would allow the town to test demand and revisit the cap if warranted.

The ordinance amendment was presented as governed by Rhode Island General Law (as referenced in the hearing). Councilors noted the licensing change does not guarantee any applicant will receive a license; each prospective operator must still apply, meet state and local requirements, and conform to any conditions attached to a license.

The council closed the public hearing and approved the amendment by unanimous vote. Next steps are administrative: the town will accept and process applications under the new Class C category and enforce any statutory or local conditions that apply to retail holders of that license category.