License Commission approves new theater, retail and auto-dealer licenses

The City of Springfield License Commission approved a slate of business licenses at its May 13 meeting, including an on‑premises wine and malt license for a youth-focused arts center and an off‑premises all‑alcohol license for a downtown wine retailer.

Hope for Youth and Families, Inc., which operates a remodeled theater at 150 Bridge Street known alternately in the record as World Stage West and City Stage, received approval for an annual on‑premises wine and malt license. Robert Bulock, the manager of record, told commissioners the center hosts free daily arts programming for city youth — “we host over a hundred kids there” and the summer program was capped at 400 because of demand — and that beer and wine service would be restricted to an hour before and after evening performances, served by TIP‑certified staff and stored in a locked closet. Metro Center Association board member Betsy Johnson told the commission the association has toured the facility and supports the application. The commission voted to approve the petition by roll call.

The panel also approved an annual off‑premises all‑alcohol package store license for Springfield Wine Exchange LLC at 1500 Main Street, Suite 170. Manager Carlo Bonavita said the store intends to carry moderate‑to‑higher‑end wines and spirits and confirmed TIP certification for servers. Residents who live and work in the Metro Center area spoke in favor; commissioners approved the license by roll call.

Commissioners granted two dealer licenses: a class‑2 dealer license for The Tint Shop and Auto Sales at 827 Boston Road, presented by owner Baselin Smiley, who said the business began with tinting and detailing and is expanding into used‑car sales; and class‑2 and class‑3 approvals for Orchard Car Company, Inc., at 427 Main Street after staff confirmed required paperwork and tax issues had been resolved.

Votes at a glance: approval of April 22 minutes (yes: Kade, D'Angel Antonio, Ramirez, Espinosa; abstain: Sansky); Hope for Youth and Families wine & malt license (approved by roll call); Springfield Wine Exchange all‑alcohol package license (approved); The Tint Shop and Auto Sales class‑2 dealer license (approved); Orchard Car Company class‑2 and class‑3 license (approved). The commission took the votes by roll call and recorded affirmative votes from Commissioners Kade, D'Angel Antonio, Ramirez, Sansky/Sopransky and Espinosa on each license approval.

Next steps: licensed applicants should complete any final administrative steps with the licensing office, including picking up licenses and maintaining required certifications and security plans where applicable. The commission moved on to administrative incident reviews later in the agenda.

“I purchased it from the city two years ago, and we've spent the last few years remodeling it,” Robert Bulock said of the theater facility, underscoring the applicant’s rationale for seeking a standing annual license rather than frequent one‑day permits.