Mayor Brodeur Calls for Updated Liquor Licensing Regulations: “This is a matter of competitive disadvantage.”

For years, events beloved by the community have taken place in Melrose. Beer and Bites. The Trivia Bee. In 2023, hundreds enjoyed beer gardens at the Beebe Estate, and many attended jazz concerts and other events at Temple Beth Shalom. What do these events have in common?

Each host was issued a one-day license to serve alcoholic beverages. Food was available, but patrons made up their own minds about whether to eat.

Why does this matter? In December, per the request of Mayor Paul Brodeur’s administration, the Melrose Liquor Licensing Commission (LLC) adopted liquor licensing regulations to allow for the local issuance of Farmer Series Pouring Permits. This permit enables a brewery to pour its beer on-premises for sale and sampling to the public in Melrose. But there’s a catch.

Melrose's current liquor licensing regulations, which may require a farmer brewer licensee (Brewery) to sell food on premises, may threaten the ability for a brewery to open in Melrose. There are also inconsistencies in the current regulations that raise potential concerns for the LLC and local businesses.

That’s why this week the Mayor confronted these issues head-on when he sent the LLC his draft of updated liquor licensing regulations to consider, along with a supplementary letter in which Brodeur argues that current regulations restrict Melrose’s ability to attract breweries and other hospitality-based businesses, and therefore, our ability to compete with more economically successful communities – Malden, Medford, and Somerville, to name a few – that benefit from less restrictive alcohol regulations.

This is a matter of competitive disadvantage. None of our four surrounding communities restricts the sale of alcoholic beverages in a similar fashion to Melrose. Medford does have some restrictions but explicitly exempts breweries from any food requirement. The hospitality sector is the lifeblood of our neighbors’ successful local business districts, drawing in foot traffic that benefits existing businesses and draws in new ones. It also generates direct additional revenue for the city through growth in meals tax receipts.

The Mayor’s proposed changes don’t just focus on making it easier for a brewery to open. They also address several outdated and/or inconsistent provisions, which he addresses in his letter:

Current regulations do not make clear the differences between different types of licenses, such as the one-day license versus other licenses…The current regulations reference an entertainment license, failing to account for the fact that the city has no process for issuing entertainment licenses. The current regulations even prohibit licensees from having open windows at their establishments, a rule that Rising Eagle and Giacomo’s currently do not comply with on a seasonal basis, much to the delight and satisfaction of their patrons. The regulations should be amended to address such dated prohibitions, increase opportunities for businesses to enter Melrose, operate profitably, and provide the amenities and services that our residents desire and deserve.

Finally, it comes as no surprise that the Mayor’s revisions include the elimination of the food ordering requirement.

While having food available for purchase either onsite or offsite can make sense, a requirement that patrons order food is ineffective and essentially unenforceable…in addition, one-day licensees are not held to this standard as a matter of practice (though under the current regulations, it appears the rule does apply to one-day licensees).

Remember, Melrose has already enjoyed great success licensing events where food is available but ordering food is not required, and the community’s responsible participation at these events demonstrates that Melrose is ready for this.

While at the end of his term, Mayor Brodeur is encouraging the LLC to change these outdated rules that prevent Melrose from reaching its full social, commercial, and economic potential. However, progress like this requires a community-wide effort. Mayor Brodeur is urging the community to follow the process closely and share their opinions.

To read the proposed regulations and letter, visit www.cityofmelrose.org/LiquorLicensingReform2024. To send feedback, including your support, email the Melrose Liquor Licensing Commission at LiquorLicensing@cityofmelrose.org.