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Springfield license board approves three alcohol licenses; one vote follows disclosure of decades‑old misdemeanors
Summary
The Springfield Board of License Commission on June 24 approved three new liquor licenses, including Casa Italian and Azul Agave. Commissioners also approved a WRLR license after discussion about previously undisclosed misdemeanor convictions for a proposed owner; one commissioner opposed that approval.
The Springfield Board of License Commission approved three new on‑premises alcohol licenses at its June 24 meeting, including continued and new petitions for Casa Italian (Columbus Italian‑American Organization Inc.), District Fusion Table (WRLR/RLLC at 278 Warden Street) and Azul Agave (Creative ANA Investments LLC).
The board unanimously approved a continued petition for an all‑alcohol club license for Columbus Italian‑American Organization Inc., doing business as Casa Italian at 1315 Winthrop Street. Attorney Michael Capot told the commission the ABCC required adjustments because the club is a nonprofit; the manager of record (identified in the packet as Sabatur Sakcasta) described prior restaurant experience and said bar staff will be TIPS certified.
A separate application for a full liquor license at 278 Warden Street drew extended questioning after the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) flagged that a proposed owner, Will Quarterman, had two convictions from around 1989–1992 that were not disclosed on an earlier application. Attorney Smith summarized the ABCC’s review and said the applicants provided an affidavit and additional financial records. Smith described the convictions as “very old” and “minor,” noting one was for attaching a wrong motor vehicle plate and the other a disorderly person charge, with fines recorded in the file.
Will Quarterman, identified by counsel as a proposed owner, told the commission he did not intentionally conceal the records. “I didn’t in any way try to deceive anyone on the omission,” he said, adding he had owned and operated businesses, served in the military and at times held a firearms license. Quarterman said he did not recognize the entries as reportable convictions at the time he signed the prior application and apologized for the omission.
Commissioner D’Angelo Antonio, Commissioner Safransky and Commissioner Kade voted to approve the WRLR application; Commissioner Ramirez opposed the motion. The board approved the license by majority vote.
The commission also approved an annual all‑alcohol restaurant license for Creative ANA Investments LLC doing business as Azul Agave at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue. Attorney Bob Price represented the applicants and said Angelo Gomez would be the manager of record; Gomez told commissioners he expects to work about 40 hours a week, operate Sunday–Thursday and Friday–Saturday evening hours, and create approximately 30 jobs in the community. Planning board materials in the packet indicated the planning board reported a unanimous approval.
The votes conclude the commission’s current review of the three petitions; the approved licensees may proceed with state filings and operational steps required by the ABCC and city licensing office.
