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Lawrence Licensing Board approves temporary extended liquor hours through July 31 for World Cup pilot
Summary
On June 24 the Lawrence Licensing Board unanimously approved a temporary pilot to extend liquor-service hours for participating establishments through July 31, 2026, citing the World Cup in Foxborough and requests from local business owners; police warned they will monitor compliance and can trigger emergency rollbacks for violations.
The Lawrence Licensing Board voted June 24 to allow participating establishments to temporarily extend liquor-service hours through July 31, 2026, in a pilot tied to the World Cup event in nearby Foxborough.
The motion, made by Commissioner Lara and seconded by Commissioner Morales, approved extended hours for participating businesses: Sunday–Thursday to 2:00 a.m., Saturday and Sunday to 2:00 a.m., and Friday to 3:00 a.m., with the board and the city to notify the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) and interested businesses.
Business owners urged the change at the start of the meeting. "My name is Miguel Corenjo. I own Mama Juana Mama Sita's," said owner Miguel Corenjo, who asked the board to "help us out with the extra hours." Luis Arias said owners were "losing clients" to neighboring cities that already offer extra hours.
Law-enforcement officials stressed enforcement expectations. Lieutenant Olivieri told the board he had discussed the proposal with the police chief and that the department was "comfortable with the hour change" but warned that any establishment with problems after the extended hours would be brought back before the board on an emergency basis and could have the extra hour revoked.
Board members described the policy as a temporary, community‑focused pilot. One member noted the ABCC guidance underlying the option, and the board said it will notify the ABCC of participating establishments; businesses must also notify the board contact (Antonio) to be included on the list.
The board said extended-hour participants must ensure premises are empty and locked after hours and that police patrols will be more active during the pilot. If violations occur, the board said it could impose fines or roll back hours without the usual appeals process for emergency rollbacks. Normal city hours will resume after July 31.
What happens next: The clerk will send a notification to businesses and the ABCC. The board and police said they will enforce the rules and return establishments to normal hours if compliance problems arise.
