Selectmen Grant Two New Liquor-Store Licenses
It took an unselfish move, which even surprised the person who made it, for the board to reach a decision on the second license.
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After more than three hours of presentations and deliberations Monday night, the Board of Selectmen handed out the town’s two new liquor-store licenses – but not before an unexpected twist.
The board first granted The Meat House one of the two licenses in a unanimous vote but was then left with quite the predicament. In the first round of voting, Selectmen Kevin Greeley and Steven Byrne had selected the Foodmaster Super Markets proposal as their top pick, while Daniel Dunn and Joseph Curro Jr. had chosen the Mystic Wine Shoppe proposal, and as for Diane Mahon, well, she was undecided.
After a two-minute break, now at 11 p.m., the board requested to hear from both applicants once more. And after Mystic Wine Shoppe’s owner/president, Eric Faiola, and its attorney, John Maher, spoke, Foodmaster Super Markets President John DeJesus said something that stunned everyone in the room, including himself.
“I’d like to withdraw my application,” DeJesus said. “I’m a small business owner too, and I think they made a great presentation … I’m stuttering here, I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
Greeley, the board’s chairman, who supported DeJesus’ application in part because of his involvement with the community, said the move spoke to DeJesus’ character.
“I think it’s just unbelievable what you’re doing on behalf of this town,” he said.
And with that, the board granted Mystic Wine Shoppe, the vacant storefront to the right of Stop & Shop, the second license in another unanimous vote.
Overall, the selectmen said that they were impressed with the quality of the six applications they received and talked about the possibility of putting more liquor-store licenses to voters next April.
In a recent poll on Arlington Patch, residents favored the duo of Mystic Wine Shoppe and The Meat House as their top choice.
Mystic Wine Shoppe, at 901 Massachusetts Ave., was proposed by Faiola, who already owns Arlington Lithograph in town with his brother. Faiola, whose grandparents and parents were from Arlington, said he intends that Mystic Wine Shoppe will serve the same clientele as Stop & Shop. The store’s manager will be Michael Woodward.
The Meat House’s proposal to add beer and wine to its store at 1398 Massachusetts Ave. was presented by attorney Mary Winstanley O’Connor and owner/manager Peter Weissman.
Here’s how the first round of voting went:
Dunn
1. Mystic Wine Shoppe
2. Arlington Heights Liquors
3. The Meat House
Mahon
1. Arlington Wine & Spirits
Byrne
1. Foodmaster Super Markets
2. The Meat House
Curro
1. Mystic Wine Shoppe
2. The Meat House
Greeley
1. Foodmaster Super Markets
2. The Meat House
Selectmen were asked for their top two proposals. Mahon said she only had one definite so far. Dunn mentioned his third choice after it was apparent that Arlington Heights Liquors would not gain enough support.
In This article
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The Meat House
1398 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA -
Johnnie's Foodmaster
808 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA -
Stop & Shop
905 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA -
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Arlington Lithograph
6 Schouler Ct, Arlington, MA
Claire Foley
7:07 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Johnny's Foodmaster should have been on every members list. This company has employed Arlington kids for years, number one. No dramatic changes to the area, number two, has been selling liquor in his other stores, knows the ropes, number three. Why would a meat market get a liquor license?? and not a super market.
Super markets in other states sell beer and wine. When will be have a board that really gets it right. I am in no way assciated with Johnny's other than a long time customer. Congratulations to Mr Greeley and Mr Byne, true Arlingtonians.
Tim
7:55 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
John Maher , Mary Winstanley , what is this old home week ???
Harold O'Connell
7:39 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The prices charged at the two selected will not be close to what Johnnys would have charged Someone was not looking after the consumer here,keep your eyes on what the new guys charge and what Johnnys stores in cambridge . Harryo
cindy
10:02 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
there is no johnnys in cambridge. if your talking about the one on beacon st that's somerville. We wouldn't have this problem if ppl had voted in favor of selling alcohol in supermarkets in Mass a few years back when the question was on the ballot.