North Adams Beach Party Approved for Margaritas, Beer and Wine
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Adult beverages were OK'd for upcoming events on Eagle Street this summer.
The License Commission last week approved two one-day licenses for alcohol at the Eagle Street Beach Party this July 15 and one day licenses for First Friday activities through October.
Desperados for years had served up margaritas during the adult portion of the popular beach party, when Eagle Street is covered with sand from end to end. But with the restaurant now shuttered, the Elks Club has stepped in to do the pouring.
Elizabeth Manns, representing the club, said margaritas will served up as well as Corona, Stella Artois and Michelob Ultra beers.
The club will set up down around Desperados and serve from 7 to 10 p.m. The children's portion usually ends around 5 or 6 p.m.
Andrew Fitch presented for the next license as A&M Bakery with the intent to serve beer and wine at 3-5 Eagle St., which Fitch owns.
"We didn't want to conflict with the margaritas," he said.
Commissioner Rosemari Dickinson asked how the alcohol was going to be controlled, noting how close the serving would be to Main Street.
"They're going to leave your establishment and walk up Eagle, which we've all determined in the past is OK, as long as Eagle is closed off," she said.
Fitch said alcohol service would only occur when Eagle Street is closed off for events, which included the beach party. He and his partner in the bakery had discussed how they would serve and that one of them would be available at all times.
"We'll be telling people they cannot go down Main Street will also have signage toward the end of the table that says like, 'no drinks beyond that,'" he said.
Commissioner Peter Breen recommended using wrist bands and only serving one person at a time.
"When someone comes up for a second one, they've already got the wristband on and that will save you a little bit of time," he said. "You're allowed to serve two, but the problem is, the person has one and gives it to the other person and they don't have a wristband."
That had not come up during the public hearing for the Elks Club and Breen said they should be informed as well, even though club has experience in alcohol service.
It's still possible for someone to hand off a drink but with wristbands, he said, "the police can see the person with a wristband and the beer."
Commissioners also suggested that next year they might want to apply for a seasonal license if they want to continue serving during events. This would allow for more flexibility.
Both entities were approved for the one-day licenses with conditions they submit insurance and riders. For the beach party, they were also approved for a rain date of July 22.
Also approved for an alcohol license was Sy Kitchen LLC, operating as Nara Sushi, at 139 Ashland St. The restaurant had opened a few years ago without an alcohol license.
Ocean State Job Lot was approved to sell wine an hour earlier at 8 a.m., to align with its business hours, except on Sundays. V&V was also on the agenda after indicating it was interested in modifying its hours but did not submit anything.
Tags: license board, alcohol license, beach party,
