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Board allows convenience store/smoke‑shop use at Kinsley Street site with no on‑site consumption
Summary
A use variance was granted to allow a convenience store (described by applicants as a smoke shop) at 94–94½ Kinsley Street; the board clarified the approval excludes on‑premises consumption and framed the request as a typical convenience store use.
The zoning board approved a use variance to allow a convenience store/smoke‑shop at 94–94½ Kinsley Street after the applicant clarified the business will sell tobacco and vape products but will not permit on‑site consumption.
Applicant who identified himself as Hassan said he planned a standard convenience operation with tobacco products and snacks; the building owner, Vasilios Zaharopoulos, supported filling the long‑vacant commercial space. Board members probed whether the term “smoke shop” implied indoor use; the applicant and staff confirmed the proposal is for retail sales only. "Just selling," the applicant said, adding there would be no seating or on‑premise consumption.
Given that the proposed operation resembles a normal convenience store and staff could add a stipulation prohibiting on‑site consumption, the board found the use consistent with the character of other neighborhood businesses and approved the variance. The chair noted the applicant should work with planning staff on licensing and any administrative reviews needed to open.
The approval included an explicit condition that no products will be consumed on the premises; enforcement would be handled via code enforcement if violations are reported.
