Worcester License Commission approves multiple one-day liquor and entertainment permits; denies one application and schedules status hearing after shooting

The Worcester License Commission on July 23 approved a series of one-day liquor and entertainment permits for community events, granted several business-operating licenses and transfers, denied one entertainment request and scheduled a status hearing for a recent shooting.

Chair Anthony Vigliati said the meeting would be hybrid and reminded applicants that “if you are approved, you will be responsible for obtaining any permits that are necessary, such as fire, building, and code.” The commission recorded unanimous approvals for items including Pride Worcester (Sept. 12), the Shrewsbury Street Italian Heritage Parade (Oct. 11), the Green Hill Neighborhood block party (Aug. 1), the Ecotarium volunteer event (July 28), the Casa Cultural Dominicana festival (Sept. 5), the Brazilian Festival (Sept. 13), and the Worcester African Festival (Aug. 1). Business approvals included a Chester’s Chicken quick-service operation and a Dippin' Donuts at 75 Consignment Ave., and the transfer of the Nuovo restaurant license to Olive’s Hospitality LLC.

Not every application succeeded: the commission denied the entertainment component of a Cellular Connection event at 68 Stafford Street because the applicant failed to appear and required liability insurance had not been provided. Police representatives also asked the commission to require Victory Cigar Bar ownership to appear for a status update after a shooting; the commission voted to bring the owners to the next meeting. Many approvals were conditional on applicants coordinating with the Worcester Police Department’s detail office for road closures and event security.