NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The License Commission on Monday approved all-alcoholic licenses for SereniTea Parlor and Korean Garden. 

 

Leanne Wilensky, who operates the tea parlor and coffee shop with her husband, Todd Hamilton, said the decision to apply for the license was a financial move. 

 

Wilensky said they were aware of the proximity of the college and she had reviewed the Alcohol and Beverage Control Commission's regulations on state and out-of-state identifications. Hamilton would be in charge of making sure things went smoothly, she said. 

 

"We plan to only have alcohol during certain hours and those hours will not be open to under 21," Wilensky said, using the example of prohibiting a couple from entering if even only one was underage. 

 

"Knowing there's been a license there in the past and there have never been any problems, I'm inclined to approve," said Rosemari Dickinson. The eatery had previously operated as The Parlor Cafe, which had offered beer and wine. 

 

Korean Garden has had a wine and malt license since opening last year. Jenny Pae said there had been requests for cocktails and other alcohol choices and that the restaurant wanted to have a karaoke night. 

 

The commissioners said she would have to come back for the entertainment license since it was not on the agenda but approved the all-alcohol license with little comment. 

 

"We had no problems with your application last time and have not had any problems with your service," Chairman Jeffrey Polucci said. 

 

Both operators were cautioned about the proximity of the college and that the serving licenses were a privilege, not a right. Both were told to inform the Planning Board about additional hours and communicate that back to the License Commission.