Quincy City board approves Wallist Gardens beer garden at 18 Beale Street after neighbors raise parking and safety concerns

The Quincy City Board of License Commissioners voted April 28 to allow Wallist Gardens, a seasonal community beer garden and event space at 18 Beale Street, to operate with special‑use permits and one‑day liquor licenses starting May 15, weather permitting. The board approved the motion by unanimous voice vote after hearing resident questions about parking, trash and safety.

Applicant Austin Partane told the board the site will be open with “no entry fee or anything like that” and described two permanent vendor containers (Widowmaker Brewing and Cello Mexican Restaurant) plus space for up to two additional food vendors and scheduled live music on Fridays and Saturdays. Kenny, representing Widowmaker Brewing, said the goal was to “connect with the community” and create a family‑friendly space.

Neighbors offered a mix of support and cautions. Resident Stuart Row said he “could not be more excited” about turning a vacant lot into a place to eat and gather. Business owner Judy Chen said she supports local activity but warned the area already suffers parking congestion: “my parking lot is almost always full,” she said, and asked how the site would prevent visitors from using nearby restaurants’ restrooms and parking. Several commenters also raised concerns about trash and pedestrian safety along Chapman Street.

In response, applicants described site controls and permitting steps: the lot will be fenced with two controlled entrances, a gated parking area with an estimated 15–18 spaces, four porta‑potties including one ADA accessible unit, a planned dumpster location, a temporary 200‑amp electrical service and contracted pest control. They said signage would prohibit removing containers or taking drinks off site. Staff confirmed the project will require coordination with traffic and parking, licensing, food inspection and fire prevention; a walk‑through with the fire prevention bureau was already scheduled.

Board members and public‑safety officials emphasized monitoring and enforcement. A licensing official said board agents and community police would perform periodic checks, and several commissioners said the board retains the authority to revisit the permit if operations create problems.

The approved seasonal hours are: Thursdays 4–9 p.m., Fridays 4–10 p.m., Saturdays noon–10 p.m., and Sundays noon–7 p.m., through the summer. The board recorded the action as an approval; no formal tally of individual roll‑call votes was recorded in the meeting transcript beyond a unanimous voice “aye.”

The board asked applicants to complete outstanding permits (electrical, propane and food licensing) and to share final plans for parking, dumpster placement and porta‑potty licensing with city staff before opening. The board said it would monitor the site and hear further complaints or requests for modification if needed.