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Council denies liquor license for restaurant proposal that included hookah service
Summary
The Woonsocket City Council denied a liquor-license application for VS Restaurant and Lounge after councilors and the solicitor said state law classifies hookah establishments as smoking bars and requires smoking-related revenue to exceed 50%. The applicant chose to proceed rather than withdraw and revise the plan.
The Woonsocket City Council voted 5–2 on May 4 to deny a Class BB liquor-license application for VS Restaurant and Lounge at 754 Front Street after extended questioning about the applicant’s plan to offer hookah service.
Gladys Santiago, who identified herself as representing the applicant, told council members the business would be “predominantly a restaurant serving Latin American food” and estimated hookah would account for roughly 20% of operations. Council members and the solicitor pressed her on whether the operation would meet the state statutory standard for a smoking establishment.
The city solicitor explained that under the cited state provision (identified in the hearing as 23-20.10-2) a business that operates as a hookah or cigar bar must derive more than 50% of revenue from tobacco or smoking-related activities to qualify as a smoking bar; food and alcohol sales must be incidental. The solicitor said the statute requires quarterly certification to the Division of Taxation in the first year, showing that tobacco-related revenue exceeds 50% of total receipts.
Councilman Canario said he would “not support a hookah bar” and cited prior problems with similar establishments. Several councilors raised questions about enforcement, hours of service and whether the advertised scope meant the council had to accept the application “all or nothing.” The council offered the applicant the option to withdraw and revise the application; Santiago said, “I would like to proceed.”
After roll-call voting the clerk recorded: Canario — No; Dubois — No; Fox — I (aye); Gonzalez — No; Harmon — Yes; Sierra — No; President Gendron — No. The clerk announced the application was denied on a 5–2 vote.
The solicitor and city staff told the applicant she could consult the law department and the Division of Taxation and return with a revised plan. Council members emphasized that the state statute constrains local licensing where the business is advertised as a hookah/smoking establishment.
The council approved a separate liquor-license application earlier in the meeting for The Garage Restaurant (102 Rathbun Street) by unanimous vote. The clerk confirmed both license matters were processed through the Board of License Commission.
