License Commission approves several special-event and restaurant licenses, continues multiple public hearings to Feb. 5

The Lowell License Commission on Jan. 8 approved a series of one-day alcohol and restaurant license applications and set several public hearings for Feb. 5, 2026.

Commissioners voted to approve a one-day wine license for an Arts League of Lowell reception on Jan. 24, 2026, after Jim Roberts, standing in for the organization, described the exhibit themed on the color and mood of blue. "I'm standing in for Steve," Roberts said, explaining the reception and exhibit. The commission also approved a permit for the Clement Park Committee’s 16th annual Khmer New Year celebration (April 18, 2026, rain date April 19) at Clemente Park; committee chair Jonathan Cheam told commissioners the event has run successfully for five years.

Other approvals included a one-day auctioneer license for Ross Finn to run an online-only auction of former Ideal Tape Company equipment on Feb. 19, 2026; a common victualler/operational license for Nejabam Restaurant Inc., doing business as Piccadilly Empanadas (378 Broadway); one-day service for "Final Fridays" at Hive Public Market (101 Page Street) on Jan. 30, 2026; and a one-day Galentine's cake-decorating event with alcohol at Mill City Grows on Feb. 6, 2026, presented by Jenny Torres Hortello. Jennifer Sireddy of Hive Public Market described the Final Fridays event as "a gathering space to... have a DJ, listen to some music, light refreshments" and confirmed that staff are TIP certified or are completing certification.

A continued public hearing for Lowell Asian Restaurant LLC, applicant Sally Ho, for an all-alcohol restaurant license at 369 Broadway was held; Ho confirmed she is TIP certified and said additional bartenders will be TIP certified before serving. The public hearing was opened and closed with no recorded opposition and the commission voted to approve the license.

The commission received notice that the Sonesta Select Boston Lowell application (30 Industrial Avenue East) was amended to change the proposed manager from Uday Patel to Akshay Patel; the commission re-advertised the matter and continued the hearing to Feb. 5, 2026. Public hearings for Populous Lowell LLC (proposed at 15–25 Merrimack Street) and On the Bun LLC (120–122 Merrimack Street) were scheduled for Feb. 5 as well.

The commission noted and placed on file an informational advisory from the State Fire Marshal regarding sparklers and other pyrotechnics in licensed alcohol establishments and stated that licensees had been notified.

Votes were taken by voice; the roll call at the start of the meeting indicated three commissioners present (Donoghue, Mercier, Underwood) and two absent (Krieger, Tang). Where individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript, approvals were recorded as voice votes with vocal assent. The meeting adjourned after the final item.

Next steps: several new-license matters and manager-transfer hearings are scheduled for the commission’s Feb. 5, 2026 meeting.