New Liquor Store Decision Headed to Town Meeting
With two retail businesses currently selling liquor and a third being sold to new owners, the Board of Selectmen voted last night to endorse a citizens petition to let a Hopkinton developer pursue a fourth license for the town.
At last night’s Board of Selectmen meeting a sense of agreement was shared that because the town has reached the 15,000-population threshold it is okay for Hopkinton real estate developer Chuck Joseph to apply for a site-specific liquor license for a business to be located at the Hopkinton Square developmenton South Street.
The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission normally goes by the town’s population as of the last census, which listed Hopkinton's population at roughly 14,900 and within the population range where a town is allowed to have three package stores.
Chuck Joseph, of CJPM Development LLC, has filed a citizens petition to have Town Meeting vote to approve law that would allow Joseph to pursue a license through the special legislation.
In the initial discussion of the licensing process last week, the Selectmen were unwilling to endorse the petition because they were worried it may limit a fair shake that other interested parties should be entitled to when an extra permit exists.
However after in depth research by the town's legal counsel, the board was informed that this extra license is totally separate from the population-designated licenses.
Currently the town of Hopkinton has three package store licenses; Colella’s Supermarket, Hopkinton Wine and Spirits and the closed Star Package Store currently hold on to them.
Do you think Hopkinton needs another liquor store? Share your thoughts in the comments.
In This article
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Hopkinton Town Offices
18 Main St, Hopkinton, MA -
Colella's Supermarket
61 Main St, Hopkinton, MA -
Hopkinton Wine & Spirits
77 W Main St, Hopkinton, MA -
Star Package Store Inc
70 Main St, Hopkinton, MA -
Barry
8:17 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Sounds good to me (the 4th liquor license). What would be even better would be restaurants being able to serve alcohol whenever they were open, including Sunday mornings. If someone doesn't want to drink on Sunday morning, then don't. But neither they nor any religious group should have the right to tell anyone when they can or can drink.
Sean O'Donnell
12:12 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
That's an interesting thought Barry. I know last year the state was talking about allowing bars to run happy hour specials as part of the casino legislation. That probably would have in turn made them take a look at the hours bars can serve.
I was always under the impression that the restrictions on serving hours were a state wide thing, but recently I've been finding that while most bars have last call at 1 a.m., some serve until 2. This may be the same for Sunday morning. Let me see what I can find out.
Bill
1:46 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
With the population soon to exceed the 15K threshold, it is a moot point. In the overall scheme, I question legal counsel's opinion. Unless the license becomes one of four allowed by population when the next official census is recorded (showing over 15K), then Hopkinton will be able to issue another all-alcohol license, making the total 5. I believe this license is not separate. Its granting will be due to an provision amending the current and long standing MGL Chapter 138, S17 and should be considered "in advance" of the inevitable increase in the town's population.
Sean O'Donnell
2:17 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
hmmmm, that's interesting Bill, I know that is exactly what the selectmen were worried about the first time this issue was brought up.
Dana Vannasse
3:39 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Well, even I like booze but I don't need it next door and a fourth "packie" IN TOWN IS JUST PLAIN RIDICULOUS..
Vin
8:48 am on Friday, May 4, 2012
I support development. Adding another package store in Hopkinton is like adding another piano tuner. Plenty of options to meet personal needs: Colella's, Hopkinton Wine & Spirits, and a BJ's run, not to mention a 3rd Hopkinton option in Star under new ownership. If selectmen/voter approval is needed, it feels like a waste of time.