Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Blog

Daniel Newcomb, principal of The Atlantic Restaurant Group, based out of Marshfield, a commercial real estate firm that specializes in the sale of restaurants, leasing of restaurant space and liquor licenses throughout the South Shore and the Greater Boston area, has announced the launching of a new division of their services, Atlantic License Brokers.

After 10 years of operations, Newcomb says he was motivated by the needs of his clients to expand his existing restaurant brokerage services to facilitate the process of matching buyers and sellers of all alcoholic beverages and wine and malt licenses. Atlantic License Brokers is the first of its kind in Massachusetts to dedicate time and resources to tracking and maintaining an inventory of liquor licenses for sale.

Interesting article in the Patriot Ledger about casinos, happy-hour laws, and whether the return of happy hour will have an impact on drunk driving.

The Massachusetts State Senate has included an amendment in their version of the casino bill allowing local bars and restaurants to once again have a "Happy Hour."

The amendment included in the State Senate's version of the Massachusetts expanded gambling bill would bring back "Happy Hour" in the Commonwealth, which has been banned since 1984, in part because of a desire to stem drunk driving incidents.

Currently, Massachusetts law forbids businesses from offering any free or discounted alcoholic beverages.

The new amendment is an attempt for legislators to give local restaurants and bars the same ability that casinos would have in order to compete.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives voted in favor of a casino gambling bill, passing it 132-32 on Sept. 14. The Senate passed their version of the bill 24-14.

But, even though the State Senate passed the bill, the Restaurant Equality Amendment (Happy Hour amendment) will be up for discussion when the Senate bill is reconciled with the House version. Then, Governor Deval Patrick would have to sign the bill into law.

Paul McMorrow had an interesting op-ed piece in Sunday's Globe opposing the amendment.

A Boston Magazine blog was in favor of the bill.

The Boston Globe reports that industry groups have struck a compromise to allow more grocery and package stores to sell alcohol.

I think this is wise. Currently, stores like Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, as well as liquor stores owned by the same company or person, can only sell alcohol at three locations across the entire state.

Under the agreement, the statewide cap on the number of liquor licenses store companies and individuals can own would gradually increase so that they can sell alcohol at more locations. The limit for these "off-premises" licenses, now three per company, would climb to five next year, to seven in 2016, and nine in 2020. Permits would require local approval.

A revised bill reflecting the new agreement was voted out of committee on Thursday, and could come before the full Legislature as soon as next week.

After a campaign over a 2006 ballot measure to allow more food stores to sell wine, supermarkets and liquor stores, along with beer and wine distributors, were reluctant to renew the battle, the Globe reported.

"It was a real motivator," said Jon Hurst, president of the state's retailers association. "It's a good compromise. I give both sides a lot of credit."

The 2006 ballot question was among the costliest in state history, with corporate interests spending more than $11.5 million spent to sway voters.

The measure, which was defeated 56 percent to 44 percent, would have allowed cities and towns to issue new licenses to grocery stores, and allowed them to hold an unlimited number.

The current legislation, however, works within the established quota system.

"It doesn't change the overall number of licenses, just the number you can hold," he said.

The raised cap on licenses would also give package stores more opportunity to grow, and increase the value of their current license should they decide to sell.

Critics have also raised concerns that teenagers will find it easier to buy alcohol from supermarkets than smaller liquor stores. Supporters say that with increased competition, customers will save money and enjoy increased convenience from one-stop shopping.

District Attorney Michael Morrissey hosted more than 150 educators and police from across Norfolk County at an all-day conference providing strategies to prevent and address underage drinking and other dangerous behavior, according to patch.com

"The time to address underage drinking is before it comes into court as an alcohol-fueled assault, or the car crash that takes a life or causes permanent injury," said Morrissey.

Police surveillance of liquor stores and restaurants has resulted in multiple arrests of underage persons for purchasing of alcohol and a five-day liquor license suspension for Powdermill Road business Millstream Liquors in Maynard.

Over a five-week period, officers witnessed the sale of liquor to underage patrons at Millstream Liquors. In three instances, the customer was not asked for ID and the clerk twice accepted a false out-of-state ID.

The Daily Hampshire Gazette reports that the town of Easthampton is one step closer to having its first licensed brewery in the town; the brewery plans to grow hops on site.

The Boston Globe reports here on the $45,000 in funds accepted by Treasurer Steven Grossman (who oversees the ABCC), donated by package store proprietors, bar owners, and liquor distributors -- industries his office heavily controls and regulates.

Interesting piece from Boston Magazine's website about the number of liquor licenses available in Boston and other communities, and whether these limitations still make sense.