Falmouth board approves Old Casino's liquor and entertainment licenses after parking concerns

The Falmouth Board of Selectmen voted May 18 to approve transfer of an all-alcohol restaurant license to The Old Casino LLC and to grant the company an entertainment license and a Sunday entertainment license for the premises at 286 Friend Avenue, Suite 9.

The applicant’s representative, Kevin Flower, told the board the business will largely continue the historical restaurant and banquet use at the site. “We’re effectively assuming operations from the prior owner,” Flower said, and added that floor plans were approved by the building commissioner, town planner and health agent on March 25. The board was also told the town engineer requested a correction to the license address to 286 Friend Avenue, Suite 9.

The motion to approve the liquor-license transfer authorized alcohol service Monday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; the entertainment and Sunday entertainment licenses approved later allow indoor entertainment Monday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The board moved and seconded both motions and voted in favor (meeting record: “Aye”).

Residents at the hearing pressed the applicant on parking. Linda Newman, who said she lives in Unit 7 of the same building, told the board, “I’m concerned about the parking,” describing occasions when restaurant patrons block the shared driveway and underground garage access. Newman asked whether the new operator would use valet and how patrons would be informed about parking rules.

The applicant said there are two dedicated valet spaces in front of the building, a valet lot behind the nearby ball field, and that the applicant has a contract with a valet company to provide service in the summer and reduce service as needed. The applicant also said ten parking spaces are deeded to Unit 9 and will not be available to patrons.

Members of the public also asked about how the applicant had sought neighborhood input. Flower said owner Alex Khan solicited informal feedback over roughly a year from neighborhood patrons and community contacts rather than through a formal comment process. The applicant described entertainment as family- and community-oriented — small bands, duets or solo performers and music for weddings and brunches upstairs — not a nightclub or concert hall.

The hearing record shows the board approved the transfer and both entertainment licenses after the public discussion. A board member noted lingering concerns about parking enforcement but the motions passed with affirmative votes.

Votes at a glance • Transfer of all-alcohol restaurant license to The Old Casino LLC for 286 Friend Avenue, Suite 9 — approved (motion moved, seconded, board vote: Aye). Hours authorized: Mon–Sun, 8:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. • Entertainment license and Sunday entertainment license for The Old Casino LLC — approved (motion moved, seconded, board vote: Aye). Hours authorized: Mon–Sun, 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.

Next steps: The licenses will be processed according to town procedures; the board record does not specify additional conditions or a required follow-up hearing.