Northampton License Commission approves slate of transfer, new and short-term liquor licenses

The Northampton License Commission on Wednesday, Sept. 17, approved a series of license applications and short‑term permits for restaurants, a gas‑station package store and community events, and agreed to follow up on a handful of items that require additional documentation or hearings.

The approvals included a transfer of an annual wine and malt package store license for the Racing Mart at 54 East Hampton Road, new and change‑of‑category on‑premises licenses for downtown restaurants and bars, and multiple one‑day permits for nonprofit and commercial events across the Valley. Several approvals were contingent on routine conditions; one short‑term permit was approved with a fee waiver pending nonprofit documentation.

Votes at a glance
- Racing Mart (transfer of annual wine & malt package store license to 54 Racing Mart Shell Inc.; proposed manager Gina Marie Boyer): Motion to open public hearing, then motion to approve transfer passed (Commissioner Jennifer Ewers moved; second recorded; Commissioners Natasha Aqiblev and Jennifer Ewers voted yes; Amy Kaelane was not present for the vote). Documents included the purchase note and a pledge agreement for license collateral, and the applicants described a turnkey change of ownership.
- Jersey Mike’s (Lily and Poppy LLC, common victualler license, 303 King St., manager Christina Troche): Motion to approve passed unanimously among commissioners present (Jennifer Ewers moved; second recorded; Natasha Aqiblev and Jennifer Ewers voted yes; Amy Kaelane arrived later).
- Toasted (Levante and Banas LLC, change of category from wine & malt to all alcoholic beverages at 111 Pleasant St.): Motion to approve passed; applicant said the business would expand evening hours and catering (motion by Commissioner Jennifer Ewers; commissioners in attendance voted yes).
- NoHo Social (Noho Social LLC, new all‑alcohol on‑premises license, 261 King St.; proposed manager Garrick Perry): Motion to approve passed (motion recorded and seconded; commissioners present voted yes).
- Multiple short‑term wine & malt permits and fee waivers approved for events: Michael F. Curtin VFW Post 8006 pig roast (fee waiver approved), Pioneer Valley Racing/Happy Valley Half Marathon & 5K at Look Park, Highbrow Woodfire Chamber meet‑and‑greet, Quonk medieval/fantasy night, a Halloween event at 33 Holly St. (contingent on proof of liquor liability insurance), Look Park Haunted Trains fall festival (fee waiver contingent on proof of nonprofit status), and others. Motions to approve these short‑term licenses passed as listed on the agenda; several applicants described event logistics, containment of alcohol service, and insurance or nonprofit documentation requirements.
- JJ’s Tavern (Blue Paws Inc.) was granted a one‑day amendment to its entertainment license to start live music at 1 p.m. for Ok‑toberfest on Sept. 27; commissioners recorded an approval without the applicant present given the annual nature of the event.
- New common victualler licenses approved: Malapot and Grill LLC (271 Main St., manager Kelvin Zheng) was approved for a common victualler license; the applicant described a make‑your‑own hot pot concept and expected to open soon.

What the applicants said
Applicants and their representatives described operations, staffing and public‑safety plans for each business or event. Examples: the Racing Mart buyers provided managerial experience and paperwork for the seller‑financed purchase; NoHo Social told the commission it plans evening public hours and small‑scale performances and that the proposed manager has decades of operations experience; short‑term event organizers described where alcohol would be contained on site and whether participants receive drink tickets.

Conditions and outstanding items
The commission recorded several routine conditions or contingencies: the Halloween event at 33 Holly St. was approved contingent on receipt of liquor‑liability insurance (minimum $250,000, per clerk guidance); the Look Park Haunted Trains permit was approved with a fee waiver but contingent on submitting nonprofit documentation; the commission noted that applicants must follow the city’s rules on readmittance and any entertainment permits and that the police department may perform routine bar checks.

Why it matters
Approvals clear the way for new and expanded food‑service operations and community fundraising events in Northampton, including new downtown businesses and annual festivals. Short‑term permits support nonprofit fundraisers and regional events that bring economic activity to local vendors.

What comes next
Several items on the agenda will return later if applicants fail to supply outstanding attachments (insurance certificates, nonprofit documentation) or if follow‑up hearings are required. The commission also scheduled and discussed separate public hearings for noise complaints (see separate articles on TELUS and Gomba).