Restaurant to petition state for additional liquor license
By Ken Powers Community Reporter

Northborough - The Board of Selectmen has decided to support a local business's right to petition the state to bring an additional alcohol pouring license to town.

Attorney Michael Edmonds, representing the owners of Korean BBQ Kitchen, 290 West Main St., appeared before the board at its Jan. 28 meeting requesting the board's support of a Town Meeting warrant article to add another license to the town's total.

According to Town Administrator Barry Brenner, the town is already at its license limit as determined by state regulations that use size and population to determine how many allalcohol pouring licenses a municipality may issue.

"There is a mechanism in place that allows you to add another license," Edmonds said. "It would be a site-specific license, meaning it would only be able to be used at the 290 Main St. site. If the restaurant went out of business and the space was vacant, the license could not be transferred to another site in town."

Last year the town supported a similar Town Meeting warrant article that petitioned the state for the addition of five site-specific allalcohol pouring licenses for the Loop retail development.

Edmonds said the restaurant is surviving, but its owner, Munja Rhim, decided to pursue the additional liquor license because many of her customers have indicated to her that their visit to her establishment would have been enhanced by the amenities provided by full bar service.

"The restaurant is doing okay, but it is struggling," Edmonds said. "A large number of people are disappointed when they get there and find out they can't order a beverage of their choice."

The board unanimously voted to support the Korean BBQ Kitchen's Town Meeting warrant article.

"I definitely think we should support the restaurant's right to make its pitch to the legislature," Selectman Jeff Amberson said. "This is a place that hasn't had a hint of trouble. It has terrific food, and you can take your family and have great meal. The owner believes this will help her business. I think we should do everything we can to help her help her business."

Selectman Leslie Rutan pointed out that Rhim petitioned the board for an all-alcohol pouring license before she opened, but it was on a night when two restaurants petitioned the board and only one license was available.

"The only reason we didn't give her one before is because we didn't have one to give," Rutan said.

Selectman Dawn Rand said she supported Rhim's request because of the restaurateur's loyalty to Northborough.

"She has operated restaurants in town for many years and her businesses have always been well run and successful," Rand said. "I think because of that, Korean BBQ should be allowed the opportunity to apply for the license."

Edmonds also petitioned the board at its Jan. 28 meeting, on behalf of two other restaurants that are clients, Yama Zakura and Mikaku, for a Town Meeting warrant article to allow establishments with beer and wine licenses to sell cordials and liqueurs.

"Both restaurants have beer and wine licenses, but feel adding the opportunity to have an after-dinner, dessert drink if you will, would help business," Edmonds said.

The board unanimously voted to support this warrant article as well.