Beer Works withdraws application for Davis Square liquor license

[keithn.livejournal.com]

I don't see something I can link to, but according to an e-mail that was just sent out by the Davis Action Group, Beer Works has withdrawn their city liquor license application. This was going to go before the licensing committee tonight.

My assumption would be that they were aware that they were not going to be granted a license and withdrew. So those who opposed the restaurant have succeeded. I have no idea if there is any link to recent issues with the building facade, but my understanding is that that should not have been a major issue since they had planned to replace it anyway.

A big question on my mind is whether or not Davis Square will now see ANY of the 8 remaining city wide liquor licenses. The argument used by Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz against Beer Works would seem to indicate that will not happen. The implication would be that you will see no new alcohol serving restaurants or bars in Davis Square unless they buy an existing license - so the total number of alcohol serving restaurants and bars will not increase in Davis Square anytime soon (without pressure on Alderman Gewirtz and the licensing commission).

Comments

[ron_newman]

East Somerville, Winter Hill, Magoun Square, maybe even Ball or Teele ... somewhere that isn't as full of restaurants as Union and Davis squares, that could use the economic boost.

[keithn.livejournal.com]

I really have a hard time believing gentrified Magoun Square, Ball Square, or Teele Square could ever qualify as "areas of economic need." Not to mention the fact that Teele and Ball square are pretty close to Davis Square to begin with. I don't spend much time in East Somerville, so correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe they have plenty of restaurants already on Broadway, and they have 12 licenses for Assembly Square, and the massive Assembly Square project itself.

[ron_newman]

Some of the restaurants in these places (as well as in less-dense commercial strips such as along Somerville Ave or Washington Street) may not now have liquor licenses, and want them in order to improve their business. I think Aguacante Verde (the former Tacos Lupita) got one on this basis.

Is Magoun Square really considered "gentrified" these days? Seems like they have a lot of vacant commercial real estate, and have had trouble keeping places open.

[keithn.livejournal.com]

I do believe Magoun square is gentrified, based on friends who have gone condo hunting and buying there, and walking around the neighborhood myself. The green line is coming, which will do more than liquor licenses will. I do think they could use more restaurants and bars (I like Olde Magoun's Saloon), but that shouldn't prevent Davis Square from getting a few of the 8 remaining licenses, in my opinion.